YUMMY YUMMY Italian Sausage Calzones

This recipe might look complicated, but it is totally worth it! This is a family favorite, and it makes a TON! We usually freeze the leftovers & then serve them up later. If you don't want to make the bread recipe, you can use Rhodes rolls.

SHEEPHERDER BREAD

2 scant T. dry yeast (2 pkg) 1/4 C. sugar

3 C. lukewarm water 7 1/2 C flour

2 1/2 tsp salt

In large bowl, mix yeast and water, stir til dissolved. Let spores bubble for a few minutes. Pour in sugar, salt and 4 C flour. Mix until blended. Add 2 more cups of flour and blend. Knead the last 1 1/2 cups of flour in. Knead until good bread consistency. (I use just the 7 1/2 Cups) Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp towel. Let rise until double (about 45 minutes to an hour--place bowl in warm water if your kitchen is cool.) Punch down and form into 2 large or 4 small round loaves. Place on greased baking sheet, cover and let rise again. Bake 350 for 35-40 minutes. Bread should be golden brown. ENJOY!

(For the Calzone part--if you made that much bread & usually double the calzone recipe, because the 1lb leaves half of my dough behind. So plan on doubling the Calzone recipe to use up all your bread. Or you could make breadsticks! Enjoy!)

CALZONES

1 Recipe Sheepherder Bread-let rise once then shape into calzones

1 lb browned Italian Sausage, drained and cooled

1 C. grated Mozzarella cheese

1 small can sliced mushrooms (optional)

1 can (about 1/4 C) sliced black olives

Mix cooked sausage, cheese, mushrooms and olives together.

Roll 1/3 of dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick and cut into squares about 4 inches X 4 inches. Place about 2 tablespoons of filling on each square and bring corners together to form a triangle (I form squares usually). Pinch dough together around filling to seal, stretching dough to fit if needed. Place on greased baking sheet, cover and let rise about 45 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough and filling until all is used. Bake 350 for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Makes about 18-20 (I think).

Serve hot with your favorite Pasta/spaghetti sauce to dip them in.

When you make these you roll out your dough, cut into squares, place a tablespoon of Calzone mix on square, and fold in:
The best part about this recipe is that you can put whatever you want in these! We've made them with Canadian bacon & pineapple, pepperoni, whatever you want!