Imagine a romantic culinary adventure that combines wholesome nutrition with adorable presentation - these heart-shaped whole wheat mini calzones are about to become your new obsession! Perfect for date nights, family dinners, or when you want to add a touch of love to your meal, these cute little pockets are packed with cheesy goodness and hidden veggie nutrition. Whether you're a cooking novice or a seasoned chef, this recipe promises to impress and delight everyone at the table.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup spinach, chopped
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, active dry yeast, and salt. Mix well to ensure that the yeast is evenly distributed throughout the flour.
- Gradually add the warm water to the flour mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon or your hands until a dough begins to form. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a manageable consistency.
- Once the dough has formed, knead it on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 15 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
- While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and chopped spinach. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
- Once the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter or a knife to cut out heart shapes from the dough. You should be able to get about 8 hearts, depending on the size of your cutter.
- Place half of the heart-shaped dough pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon a generous amount of the cheese and spinach filling onto the center of each heart, being careful not to overfill.
- Take the remaining heart-shaped dough pieces and place them on top of the filled hearts to create a calzone. Press the edges together to seal them, and use a fork to crimp the edges for an extra seal and decorative touch.
- Brush the tops of the calzones with the beaten egg to give them a nice golden color while baking.
- Bake the calzones in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overbake.
- Once baked, remove the calzones from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your heart-shaped whole wheat mini calzones warm!
Tips
- Ensure your water is warm (not hot) when activating the yeast to prevent killing the yeast cultures.
- Don't overfill your calzones - this can cause them to burst during baking.
- Use a fork to create a decorative and secure seal around the edges.
- Let the dough rest and rise in a draft-free, warm area for best results.
- For extra flavor, consider adding herbs like basil or oregano to your cheese mixture.
- If you don't have a heart-shaped cutter, you can easily trace and cut heart shapes with a knife.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and melted cheese experience!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 18g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 75mg
