We live in the part of town that used to be Italian. Most of the Italians have long since moved to the 
suburbs, but come July, NW Denver celebrates its Italian heritage by hosting a series of Bazaars, fund raisers for the different Catholic Churches. It's an opportunity to put on the dog and visit old friends. Ninety year old ladies with perfectly round orange coifs, dark men sporting Italian horn necklaces, middle aged people who attended Catholic school together and young girls hoping to be noticed all gather on a hot parking lot and gossip about the old days - against the backdrop of a big band offering Frank Sinatra serenades. It's a great way to spend a Saturday night. The food is nothing to write home about, but is traditional to the event - Pizza Fritas, a deep fried pizza dough covered in sugar, draft beer, occasionally red wine, and always the Sausage Sandwich. A line will form and snake around the lot with people willing to wait 45 minutes to trade five dollars for a grilled sausage patty dipped in red sauce and served on a bun, sometimes with grilled peppers. Food and Frank Sinatra aside, I attend for another reason. Like all upstanding organizations, the churchs' primary fund raising activity centers around gambling. There are Italian cheeses, salamis and the occasional pasta bowl to be won. Each week, I feverishly trade my hard earned dollars for tickets and jostle for position among the coiffed ladies, hoping that Lady Luck will smile upon me and I will return home, proudly carrying a cheese of my own. Actually, the whole thing is crazy, I could go to Costco and buy my own cheese for a fraction of what I spend at the Bazaars trying to win a cheese. Maybe it's the thrill of the game, but there is nothing like the feeling of watching the wheel slow down and stop on your number. The winner cheers like they won a car, and everybody else throws their tickets down in disgust. When the next round starts, they are there, waving their money and asking for "some good numbers this time".
I'm telling you all of this because after nearly two years of not winning a cheese, last week I did. With the first dollar I spent. Hooray! After perusing the selection of Cotto Salami, Cappacolla, ham and jugs of Olive oil, I decided on a huge Mozzarella, like six pounds of it. So, in addition to all of the goat cheese in my fridge, I am now well stocked with Mozzarella. Cheese, anyone?
Now that I am enjoying cheese with nearly every meal, I'm trying to find some different things to do with it. Last night I made Calzones. I filled Mike's with Italian Sausage, grilled green peppers and mozzarella (of course). As the tomatoes are finally ripe in my garden, I tried something different for my own. After I roIled out the dough, I added some Mozzarella, Ricotta, Roma tomato slices, and Feta with sun-dried tomatoes to mine. I baked them for 10 minutes and they were wonderful. I decided to bake them seam side up, and the presentation beats the folded over variety hands down. A fabulous use of Mozzarella - only 4 1/2 lbs to go. There is another Bazaar tonight. I'll be there gambling with the ladies. Keep your fingers crossed - I could still find room in the fridge for a big Provolone!
Calzones
7 oz warm water
1 tablespoon dry yeast
1 tablespoon salt
11 oz. flour
Feta, Mozzarella, browned Italian Sausage, grilled green peppers, Tomato slices, Ricotta or whatever you would like to fill your calzones with.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Whisk together warm water and yeast and let bloom. Combine with flour and salt in the stand mixer and using the dough hook, knead for about 6 minutes until smooth and soft. Let dough rest for 10 minutes. Divide into 4 pieces. Roll each one into a round about 8 inches across and fill with toppings of your choice. Fold the sides up, so the seam is at the top. Bake for about 12-15 minutes, until golden brown and serve immediately. Enjoy!
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