POSTED 2012-05-21
Cat Calzones
Here's a fun school or picnic lunch idea for cat loving kids: make the quick and easy (no-rise) crust, wrap it around the filling of your choice and bake. Keep those little hands neat and put a smile on their faces too.
DOUGH: Put 192g flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Cut in 42g shortening with a pastry blender or two forks. Microwave 98g water in a microwave safe cup for about 30 seconds to get it up to around 110F. Quickly pour it into the flour and stir until dough forms. Shape briefly with your hands into a ball and refrigerate for at least a half hour, or up to three days.
FILLING: Prepare your filling. You will need ½-3/4 cup of something relatively dry, like left over shredded chicken, cut up lunch meat, stir-fried veggies, left-over rice, etc. You can also include a modest amount of cheese and/or sauce without it leaking out, but be wary of over-stuffing.
SHAPE: Preheat your oven to 400F. Meanwhile, divide your dough into 6 pieces. Shape each into a ball. On a well floured surface, roll each piece out into a very thin 7" circle. Optional: slice off a thin piece along the edge of each to use as a tail.
Put a small amount of filling in a roughly rectangular shape in the center as if making a burrito.
Fold one side over and brush the edge with a bit of water before folding the opposite side over it.
Brush more water and fold the top and bottom down to form a rectangular packet.
Pinch the top two corners to form pointed ears.
If using, curl tail around body, gluing with water. Use coriander seeds, sesame seeds, or any other suitable edible item to make two eyes and a nose, and rosemary, chives, etc to make whiskers.
BAKE: Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
EATING OPTIONS:
- Cool a few minutes and then eat right away, still hot from the oven.
- Wrap in foil right out of the oven, followed by a towel if desired. They should keep warm for 2-4 hours in an insulated container, just long enough to get to a good picnic spot.
- Let cool a few minute, wrap, freeze and defrost/reheat later.
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