Legit Calzones & Smokey Marinara Pizza Sauce

legit
	1. (adj.) A modern synonym for words such as "cool," "ill," "tight," or "dope." Used to describe a noun that is of a particularly excellent quality. The slang use of this term is slowly but steadily increasing in popularity.

These calzones are legit. They have a lot of "pretend" things in them, but they do not taste pretend. They taste amazing. A non-veggie co-worker asked me if she could try a bite and she also agreed that it tasted legit. I might even go so far as to say they are too legit to quit.

Hey, hey.

I can't take credit for much of this, as it is mostly comprised of other peoples' yumminess that I simply folded inside some pizza dough. So, you can give me credit for folding dough. "Excellent folding, Alissa."

Thanks.

You could put any sort of filling in here that you want- I am definitely making these again with various assortments of veggies. This time, however, I used these as an excuse to try some pretend meat products that people have been raving about on the interwebs. I liked them a lot, but they are a tad high in sodium. So, for a healthier calzone, add veggies instead...peppers, artichoke hearts, spinach, olives... almost anything would be good!

The star of this recipe is the faux ricotta recipe I got from Post Punk Kitchen I was highly skeptical. The PPK is amazing and has never let me down, but fake cheese just blows. 9 times out of 10 it tastes like ass & just makes me wish I had just gone balls to the wall veggie & left the "cheese" out of it. But not this. It is really good. I modified it just a little based on some reviewers advice. But it's really good and I will be making lots of stuff with it!

Calzones with "Ricotta"

(Bakes at 400 degrees.)

1 recipe Tofu Basil Ricotta + 1 extra clove of garlic (minced) & 1 tsp dried oregano

(note** you will have lots of filling left if you make the whole recipe. either buy a second pizza crust, use it up in pasta shells, or just halve the filling recipe.)

1 crust's worth of pre-made whole wheat pizza dough, divided into 4 (I get mine at Fresh & Easy or Trader Joe's. Or make your own. Whatevs.)

1 link Field Roast Italian Vegan "Sausage", crumbled and browned (Get @ Whole Foods)

1 cup button mushrooms, sliced

1 small handful (10-15 slices) vegan pepperoni, chopped

Any vegetables you want, diced

1.) Prepare the ricotta as noted on the PPK's recipe. Add in the extra garlic and seasoning. (I didn't have fresh basil so I used dried. And pressing the water out of the tofu is a must.)

2.) Divide the pizza dough into 4 balls & roll out each ball into a circle. You want it thin enough that it will bake evenly, but not so thin that it will tear when you fold it.

3.) Stir the browned sausage, pepperoni, and sliced mushrooms into the ricotta (or whatever veggies you are using!)

4.) Spoon the filling evenly onto the dough pieces. You can put a lot on there, it's pretty forgiving. You want it to be as full as possible without tearing. Fold the dough over and seal the edges with your fingers.

5.) Use a fork to press the seam of the calzone. Poke a few holes in the top of each one with the fork. Spritz with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano.

6.) Bake on a pizza stone at 400 degrees for 25 minutes,

or until they look like this:

While your calzones are baking, make the sauce! Or use bottled sauce if you must, but it contains an alarming amount of added sugar. This sauce is a variation on a recipe I got from my mommy.I will for sure post the original recipe for the pasta version of it sometime. It's so healthy and easy, but I wanted something just a little thicker for calzones.

Smokey Marinara Pizza Sauce

1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes (don't get the kind with green chilies. and don't drain them. just dump 'em in)

1/2 can (the little one) tomato paste

Dried Basil, to taste. (I dumped in a lot and didn't measure, ok? Maybe a TBS worth??)

Dried Oregano, to taste (Same issue. Use a lot. Maybe the same amount as the basil.)

1 tsp dried thyme

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp onion powder

1.) Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Simmer on med-low while your calzones are cooking, stirring and tasting occasionally. Add in spices until it tastes good to you.

2.) Spoon over the top of calzones.