How would you like to sink your teeth into that ooey gooey deliciousness? I’ve made some fantastic Calzones for a special welcome party today. I hope you’ll pull up a chair and join us!
Vedged Out Calzone
The No Rise Calzone Dough:
- 2 C. whole wheat flour
- 1 C. unbleached organic flour
- 1 T. active dry yeast
- 1 C. warm water (you may need up to 1/4 C. more water depending on your dough consistency)
- 1 t. sea salt
Method: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine all ingredients in your kneading apparatus (I use my bread maker) you can also use your hands 🙂 knead dough for 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Let rest for 10 minutes. Divide into 6 or 8 pieces (I did 6 pieces and it made for a thick calzone crust, next time I’ll do 8) and roll out into very thin 8 inch rounds. I stick my dough between pieces of waxed or parchment paper to keep the dough rounds from sticking to each other while I work with the other pieces.
The Calzone Sauce:
- 1/2 C. (1 can) tomato paste
- 1/2 C. tomato sauce
- 1 t. garlic salt
- 2 t. italian seasonings
- few grounds black pepper
- few dashes crushed red pepper (optional)
Mix all together and set aside.
The Fillings:
- 1/2 C. chopped and de-seeded kalamata olives
- 1 can drained and rinsed quartered artichoke hearts in brine
- 1/4 C. dry pack sun dried tomatoes
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1/4 – 1/2 block of my Smoked Coconut Gouda (click for yesterday’s recipe), grated
Fill calzones like pictured above, dividing the fillings equally. Then wet the edges of the dough with a bit of water, fold over and crimp together with the tines of a fork.
Prick the top of the calzone all over with the tines of the fork to let steam escape. Scatter calzones so that they are a few inches apart on two baking trays sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Place trays in preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, rotating the trays halfway through the baking time.
These keep and travel well for next day leftovers in school or office lunches
Now that we’re all enjoying these delicious calzones that I’ve made for this Welcome Party, please offer a hearty welcome to the newest blogger on my blogroll, George Monroy. I ‘met’ George after my Forks Over Knives Testimonial went viral (as of today, it’s still on the front page of the Forks Over Knives Website). I’ve since learned that George had a heart attack in May of 2012, just 5 short months ago. His doctor advised him to watch Forks Over Knives and adopt a plant based diet to save his life and prevent future heart attacks.
George in the Hospital following his Heart Attack with his son Caine of Caine’s Arcade Fame
Here’s George today, as you can see he’s lost a fair amount of weight, he’s also inexplicably lost all his hair and turned all “vegan cool dude” Here’s what George said to me when I asked him how his health is doing now: “My Diabetes is almost gone now. My blood pressure is normal again. I’ve lost 10 additional pounds in the last three months without even watching what I eat. So far this plant based diet is a cure for everything!!!”
George posts incredible photos of what he is eating every day on his facebook page Smart Hearts Aftermarket
I recognized an incredible food blogger in the making and asked him to join our ranks and get a blog ASAP! He is going to have the final dessert post in the Virtual Vegan Potluck on Nov. 1st! I can’t wait to see what fantastic dish he comes up with. Please join me and follow George, on his new blog:
George’s Smart Hearts
If you haven’t all ready met his son Caine, please check him out now. If you have the time, watch both videos, they will inspire the crap out of you. Warning: ladies, have tissues handy.
A plant based diet has given George a new lease on life, to watch Caine grow and succeed. I wish him all the best, I hope you will too.
Vedged Out 
looks delicious:)
Thanks!
Woohoo! Go George!
Dude, he’s so awesome!
George Rules………… Way to go.
Wow thanks Dad! Lets talk about your ticker later today 😉 xoxo
Seriously: those are the exact fillings that I’d put in my calzones!
And a HUGE welcome hug to George! So glad to have met him and to have him in the Potluck. He’s a plant-based hero!
Great minds… 😉 So good. Maybe I’ll make these and stuff them in my purse for us for movie treats instead of candy! Teehee.
So excited to see his blog grow. He’s got mad skillz!
Oops, not sure how my comment became a reply to your comment to your dad ;-). However, let me know if you need reinforcements with your dad :-).
Haha! No worries 🙂
George seems to be a natural at preparing food. And Caine is awesome. When I first saw the video, months ago, I got teary eyed. It’s fun to follow them on facebook.
He is such a natural! He could totally be a plant based chef!
Yup, I cried my eyes out too, I have a child about the same age, I really was touched by his story. Thanks for visiting my blog Linda! Hope to see you around. I’m Vedged Out on facebook 🙂
That calzone looks scrumptious! Thank you for introducing us to George and sharing his story 🙂
You are so welcome Heidi! I love success stories like these!
I was waiting for the calzones!
They come together really quickly and are so good, go ahead, use up your dairy cheese in them!
Wow! I was so touched by Caine’s videos. THanks for the tissue warning . . . I definitely needed it! So inspiring! Also, way to go George!
I cried my eyes out the first time I saw them. One person changed his life. The confidence and joy you saw in him as Caine’s Arcade took off was incredible. So good to know there are great people like Nirvan who are willing to give kids like Caine a chance. Super excited for George. He’s got a new lease on life, I don’t think he’s going to abuse it.
Looks so good! I can’t wait to try the recipe!
Hope you enjoy it!
I have to check out your video and I totally remember George from Caine’s uber cool Arcade video . I am so glad that George is doing okay, and is vegan now, he seems like the greatest most encouraging dad too.
Now onto the calzone. I grew up in NY and my in-laws own a pizzeria. Your calzone would be an awesome addition to their menu. Thanx for posting.
Gigi! I love that you’d all ready seen this, I only found out about Caine after my introduction to George. Proud of him for changing his life.
Your in-laws are welcome to this calzone idea, I’m sure they make incredible pizza 🙂
Oh I misread, and now I remember how that I did read your testimonial. You are totally awesome and inspiring, adn I need a kick in the ass to put in the mileage. Kick me 😉
Kick, kick, kick! Is that good enough?
These look delicious. I am really intrigued by the cheese!
If you make vegan cheez, I would try the cashew pepper jack one first. It’s simpler and has less ingredients 🙂
Thanks for sharing this story Somer – I always love me a good reason to cry… 😉 Your calzones are looking ooey gooey delicious..well done!! XO
Isn’t a good cry refreshing? So incredible how one person changed this little boy’s life and how the dad changed his life in return.
i love love the videos and the story. that arcade is so cool. its one of those videos where I smile with tears rolling down constantly:)
great to hear that george is doing so well. those calzones look fantastic!
So incredible. Glad you enjoyed it as much as I do! Calzones are weak in comparison to your pizza creations girl!
Oooo the ooey gooey scrumptious goodness!! I sooo want to sink my teeth into that Calzone right now!!
Wishing George all the very best on his vegan journey. 🙂
It is ooey gooey scrumptious goodnes! Love calzones!
I was in DC last week and had a vegan calzone (pepperoni!) at Busboys & Poets, and was thinking… I need the recipe to make this at home. Now I do! 🙂
Oh wow, vegan pepperoni. Barb I need to find it, even to try it just once! The crust is so easy, then you can put anything you like inside!
Crap, these look good! They’re making my measly salad look like a ridiculous lunch choice. I love that the dough is “no-rise” too!
Thank you for introducing us to George- I love his story! 🙂
I could use a measly salad right now! I’ve got some serious MOFO food burnout. Give me some lettuce, tahini dressing, a tomato and a can of chickpeas please! George’s story is incredible, it’s so fun to meet all these awesome people who are changing their lives!
Calzones make me happy – these look great! ❤
Aw, thanks! They make me happy too!
Calzones make me happy – these looks great! ❤
LOVE Caine! Justin showed me the video series a few month’s ago- that little boy is so amazing! And obvisouly his Dad is too, can’t wait to check out Georges Blog- thanks for sharing this inspiring story with us Somer!
Isn’t he adorable! These stories (George’s and Caine’s) are pure inspiration. 🙂