Food for Watching Godfather

We both really like Parts One and Two of Godfather, and can only eat Italian when we watch it. Most recently, we had Chicken Parmigiana, and I'll try to update this recipe and post it this weekend, after we make it for a dinner party this Saturday. Earlier this week, we had calzones, and should have had them again for Godfather. Basically any Italian food will work with Godfather, and calzones are a great idea.

This recipe comes from my cookbook Looney Spoons that my Dad I use frequently. It is an actual low-fat cookbook with EDIBLE recipes. Almost everything in there is worth doing, and nothing bombs. I changed it this time (see picture) for the ingredients I had on hand, which was NOT onion, and what Sean likes, which is NOT zucchini. Any stuffing combinations work, and all are delicious. The darker purple objects are kalamata olives.

Calzones

1 pkg active dry yeast
1 t sugar

3/4 c warm water (120-130 degrees)
1 1/2 c all purpose flour
1/2 c wheat flour (can use all white for this recipe, too)
2 t sugar
1/2 t salt
1 T olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 sliced mushrooms
1 c sliced zucchini
1 c chopped red or green bell pepper
1/2 c sliced red onions
1 t dried oregano
2 1/2 c spaghetti sauce (either jarred or home made)
1 c shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (4 oz)

In a large bowl, combine yeast, 1 t sugar and warm water. Let stand 10 minutes>

In a small bowl, combine flours, 2 t of sugar, and salt. Set aside.

Stir olive oil into yeast mixture. Add 1 3/4 c flour mixture and stir until a soft ball forms. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 3-4 minutes. Add the remaining flour mix as needed if dough is too sticky.

Spray a large bowl with cooking spray and place dough inside. Cover and let rise until doubled, about one hour.

Just before dough has doubled, prepare filling. In a large skillet with either a little olive oil or cooking spray, cook the minced garlic, mushrooms, zucchini, bell pepper, onions and oregano. Cook and stir over medium high heat until vegetables are tender, about 6-7 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Punch down dough, form a ball and cut into four equal pieces. Working with one piece at a time, roll out to at least 6 inch diameter (slightly oval shape helps here). Place on a large non-stick baking sheet, with one side slightly hanging off the side. On the side that is completely on the sheet, spoon 2T tomato sauce, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Top with a quarter of the filling and a quarter of the cheese. Fold the opposite half over and pinch the seam closed. Repeat with remaining crusts.

Bake at 450 degrees for about 12-15 minutes, until golden brown. Meanwhile, heat remaining tomato sauce until very warm. This will be your dipping sauce for the calzones when they are done baking. Serve immediately. 4 servings.

Got Cake?

I made this certain cake a few years ago and Sean can't remember it. Well, he liked it then, and he likes it now. I just had to convince him all over again. The recipe calls is Anarchy Cake, based on a recipe for Tre, Tre, Tre Cake at epicurious.com but I don't know if the author is the same. I do know the author is not me, so I'm not taking credit.

This dessert is so versatile, and even the above link will tell you to spin it any way you want to. This recipe calls for fruit, but you can substitute chopped chocolate, streusel and nuts or anything you have in season and on hand. I particularly like the inclusion of balsamic vinegar to the batter. I made it this time with frozen peaches, not even thawed. I'm making it tonight with mixed frozen berries.

Anarchy Cake

1 1/2 cups fruit (or 4 oz. chopped bittersweet chocolate), sliced if using stone fruits
3/4 cups cake or pastry flour
3/4 t baking powder
pinch salt
1 egg
1/2 cup superfine sugar, plus additional for dusting
1/4 t finiely grated lemon zest
1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c milk
1/2 t balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom of a 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper, brush with oil, and lightly flour.

Gently toss prepared fruit with 1 T sugar and set aside. If using chocolate, just skip this.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and set aside.

Using an electric mixer, beat the egg with the 1/2 c sugar and lemon zest until flight and fluffy, and pale in color. This could take as long as 5 minutes.

Add the olive oil, then milk, then balsamic vinegar, beating until fully combined.

Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour mixture. Pour batter in prepared springform pan and drop the sliced fruit on top. Sprinkle with a 1 T sugar. Bake for 50 minutes; the top should be golden brown, and a tester should come out clean with poked in the center.

By the way, the author says the title of this cake suits the anarchistic nature of Italians, therefore it is an Italian dessert. Dare we call it Communist Cake?