Calzone is rather like a folded or stuffed pizza. These are gourmet, homemade pizza pockets!

Ingredients: (Makes 4)

• 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) plain flour
• 1 tablespoon caster sugar
• 1 tablespoon instant-rise yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 235 ml (8 fl oz) very warm water
• 200 g (7 oz) ricotta cheese
• 85 g (3 oz) mozzarella cheese cut into 0.5-cm (¼-in) cubes
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 85 g (3 oz) cubed prosciutto
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
• Freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Preheat the oven to 450°/230°C. To prepare the pizza dough, combine 280 g/10 oz of the flour with the sugar, yeast and salt. Set aside. Warm the olive oil and water in a small saucepan over low heat. Slowly stir in the water and oil into the flour mixture until well combined. Stir in 140 g (5 oz) flour. Add up to 70 g (2½ oz) more flour as necessary to make a firm dough.

Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl and cover with clean paper towel. Set aside for 10 minutes. While the pizza dough is sitting, prepare the filling.

In a large bowl, combine the cheeses, prosciutto and basil. Add freshly ground black pepper to taste. When the dough has rested for 10 minutes, punch it down. Cut the dough into 4 pieces, shape each into a ball and flatten to form a disc. Lightly flour each disc.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out each disc 0.3-cm (1/8-in) thick and 15 cm (6 in) round. Add flour as necessary to prevent sticking. Using a pastry brush, glaze the top edge of the circles with water. Spoon ¼ of the filling onto the lower half of each circle. Fold the top over and press the edges to seal. Crimp decoratively and make 1 to 2 slits in the top. Place the calzones on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake on the middle rack for 30 minutes, or until the filling is hot and the crust is golden brown.

QUICK & EASY SHORTCUT: Replace dough with 2 packs of shop-bought, refrigerated pizza dough.