Delicious Mozzarella & Aubergine Calzone with Peppers
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Prep Time20 Mins
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Cook Time30 Mins
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Total Time50 Mins
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DifficultyEasy
Enjoy these wholesome Italian-inspired calzones filled with gooey mozzarella, sweet peppers, and savory aubergine. Perfect for a quick working lunch or a delightful outdoor meal on a sunny day, these calzones are both nutritious and satisfying. Easy to prepare and packed with flavor, they make a great addition to any picnic or lunchbox!
Ingredients
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 400g wholewheat bread flour, ⅛ tsp salt (if using), 7g fast-action dried yeast, 2 tsp rapeseed oil, and 300ml lukewarm water.
- Form Dough: Mix until a soft, sticky dough forms. Avoid adding extra flour; it will absorb moisture as it rests.
- Knead: Knead the dough gently in the bowl until it forms a ball.
- Let Rise: Cover the bowl with a cloth and leave it in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 2: Make the Filling
- Heat Oil: In a large non-stick pan, heat a little oil over medium heat.
- Cook Peppers: Add the chopped red and yellow peppers and stir-fry for about 1 minute until they begin to soften.
- Add Aubergine & Garlic: Incorporate the sliced aubergine and chopped garlic. Cook for 8-10 minutes, gently pressing the vegetables with a wooden spoon to help them break down. If they remain firm, cover the pan and cook for a few more minutes.
- Mix in Sauces: Stir in 1 tbsp tomato purée, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, and 2 tbsp water. Continue cooking until the vegetables are soft.
- Add Basil: Remove the pan from heat and stir in a handful of roughly torn basil.
Step 3: Assemble the Calzones
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 220C (200C fan/gas 7).
- Divide Dough: Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal pieces.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a 20cm circle.
- Fill Calzones: On one half of each circle, spoon a quarter of the vegetable filling. Scatter a quarter of the halved olives and top with a quarter of the quartered mozzarella.
- Seal Edges: Brush the edges with milk or beaten egg. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges together tightly to seal, similar to making a Cornish pasty.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the calzones on a lightly oiled baking sheet and brush the tops with more milk or beaten egg.
Step 4: Bake and Serve
- Bake: Bake the calzones in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- Cool Slightly: Once baked, allow them to cool for a few minutes.
- Serve: Enjoy the calzones warm or at room temperature. Perfect for lunch or as a snack!