Spinach Calzones

Whether we're at home in Alaska, or at our winter home in Nevada, I try to make Spinach Calzones whenever our family is together for the holidays. They're a little time consuming to make; but so good, and just pure comfort food.
Enjoy!

Spinach Calzones

Ingredients:

2 cups part-skim low moisture ricotta cheese
Dash of salt
3 Tbsp. shredded parmesan cheese
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
1 jar (7oz.) roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
5 - 3" diameter pie crust dough balls (for simplicity, I sometimes use Krusteaz Pie Crust Mix)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 jar marinara sauce (I like Newman's Own)

Instructions:

1. Combine ricotta, salt, parmesan cheese, spinach, roasted peppers, and garlic in a medium bowl.
2. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.
3. Roll dough balls out into thin circles on a lightly floured cutting board.
4. Top each rolled out dough circle with a mound of the spinach mixture.
5. Then top each mound with mozzarella cheese, allowing a 3/4" margin to the edge.
6. Stretch pizza dough over top of mound and pinch edges to seal, forming a half-moon shape.  Prick with fork.
7. Arrange calzones on cookie sheet and bake in 425 degree oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Heat sauce in pan.
9. Serve calzones with marinara sauce.

Roasted Red Potatoes

I never realized just how good a really fresh potato tasted until my husband grew a couple barrels full of red and russet potatoes last summer.  They were small, but packed an amazing amount of flavor into their tiny size.  But homegrown or store bought, try red potatoes roasted in a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika.  They're delicious!

Roasted Red Potatoes

Ingredients:
1-2 pounds red potatoes, quartered or halved (depending on size)
2-3 Tbsp. Olive oil
Paprika (not sweet)
Salt and Pepper

Instructions:

1. Place cut potatoes (no need to peel) in baking dish.
2. Drizzle with olive oil, toss gently.
3. Sprinkle with a generous amount of paprika.
4. Salt and pepper, to taste.
5. Place baking dish on center rack of 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.
6. Remove from oven, toss potatoes, and cook for another 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown.

My husband's potato harvest.