Sneaky 7-Veggie Calzones
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Sometimes, I’m pretty sure that I’m the best mom in the world. Apologies to everyone who thought they were in the running. I’ve got the title all tied up.
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Take, for instance, this afternoon, when my children were all crazied out and running rampant after a morning of church. I had an idea to create two “Partner Playtime” areas. Each area was filled with two-player games, the kids were put into pairs, and they’d play any game of their choosing with their partner for ten minutes. Then, we’d switch partners and change up the rooms, and the partner playtime would start all over again for ten minutes more. The kids were totally digging it. They were giggling together, making nice memories. And I thought, “man! I just made that up!” I mean, seriously. Who does that kind of stuff? Well, I did this afternoon! Booyah. Best Mom trophy forevs.
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Of course, there was also that instance today wherein we returned home from church to find the neighbor kids out hocking lemonade to passerbys. My kids ran over to say hello, mooched a couple of soda’s off the little lemonade-selling urchins, and sat under the heat of the August sun, sipping their soda’s. Sometime in the middle of all this summertime joy, my beloved daughter finished off her soda, and conjured the brillant idea to fill her empty bottle with soapy water, then return it to the neighbors for-sale basket. After which the soapy soda bottle was promptly sold to some kind-hearted man for three bucks. Three minutes later, he returned all red-faced and foaming at the mouth.
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“Why did you guys sell me soap water?” he begged of the lemonade standers.
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Baffled and unknowing, all of the children shrugged shoulders and look haplessly at each other for an answer. “Well don’t do it again, okay kiddos?” he gurgled as rainbow bubbles rose out of his mouth, illuminating the atmosphere.
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It didn’t take long before the kids noticed a glaring absence in their group. A certain little someone was conveniently not around. No, she was sitting inside, chatting innocently with her doting mother. A mother who, upon hearing of the misdemeanor felt the familiar fall of pride. I mean, seriously. Who’s kids do stuff like that? Best Mother Title revoked.
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After a lengthy time-out, a stern talk (during which I nearly successfully stifled a thousand giggles. Because, really, it’s pretty funny to sell a bottle of soap-soda to an unsuspecting chap), I snuck 7 different kinds of veggies into freshly made calzones. Because, hey. I might not be The-Best-Mother-in-the-World, but believe you me, I’m going to go down fighting.
Supermom or not, people are going to believe you have superpowers when you whip up this simple, delicious batch of pizza dough in about 15 minutes. The dough is soft and slightly sweet, a perfect accompaniment to these 7-Veggie Calzones, filled with garden-fresh vegetables that have been finely chopped so as to sneak past even the pickiest eater. They are so flavorful, so fresh, so good, and so easy, you won’t belive it. Hey! Maybe you are Supersonic, after all!
1 packet yeast
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. olive oil
1 1/2 T. salt
3-4 c. flour
1/2 c. cremini mushrooms
1 red bell pepper
1/2 c. spinach
1 zucchini
1/4 c. fresh basil
1/4 c. sundried tomatoes
1/2 onion
1 garlic clove
1/2 tsp. salt
2 T. flour
3 c. muenster or montery jack cheese, grated
Place the mushrooms, bell pepper, spinach, zucchini, carrot, basil, tomatoes, onion, garlic and salt in a food processor, and chop until very finely ground. Alternately, dice the veggies very small with a sharp knife. In a large bowl, sprinkle flour over the cheese, and stir to evenly coat. Add the chopped veggies to the grated cheese, and stir until well mixed.
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Looking for Something Lovely to Do?
How about joining my remarkable friend, Shelley, as she hosts a nationwide bake sale to benefit 16-year-old Rachel Steele in her fight against lukemia? If you like to bake, you can lend a world of good to this sweet teen. Details can be found on the event website HERE. Let’s make the magic that was Abby’s Bake Sale happen all over again, shall we?!
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mangiabella on August 23, 2010 at 9:24 am
congratulations cheeky!!!!!!! what an honor, and so well deserved – these calzones are the perfect way to sneak veggies to my lil one!!
the soapy water spoof cracked me up, what a lil practical joker hehehe!
have a glorious day sweet bella supermamacita!
Becki Madsen on August 23, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Becca, Becca, what a funny girl! These calzones look so delicious! AND I do think you are one of the best moms ever! Thanks for being you!
~Valentina~ on August 24, 2010 at 8:59 am
Your blog is *AWESOME*. I have to try those calzones :)
Christa on August 24, 2010 at 1:54 pm
When do you add the sugar to the dough?
Also, I have instant dry yeast that I bought in bulk at Sam's Club. It is so much cheaper than buying the little packets (less than $5 for two 16 oz pacakges!). I have been keeping it in the fridge since opening the vacuum-sealed package. How much should I use?
Love the idea to sprinkle flour over the shredded cheese to keep it seperated.
Congratulations on your award!
PS–I had the best mom title sewn up until I went to the McDonalds play area with my still potty training 3 year old son and he peed his pants. Judging by the look on the faces of the other mothers there, they clearly didn't know that urine is sterile.
PPS–I miss your the cheeky little faces you used to put on your baked goods. Silly, I know, but they just delighted me.
Heather on August 27, 2010 at 10:34 am
Congrats on the award my friend! You so deserve it. You are a breath of fresh air and make me smile.
These calazones look super yummy and are making my little tummy rumble…that only means I must make them!
Liese on August 27, 2010 at 1:06 pm
I made some modifications by shredding spinach, carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, mozzarella cheese, and a little bit of dijon mustard. I mixed it all up and put it into a whole wheat tortilla and made it a wrap! Sooooo yummy! Thanks for the idea!
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Jen D. on November 15, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Made these tonight and they were a huge hit. Used the pre-made pizza dough from Trader Joe’s and switched up the veggies a bit based on what I had on hand. This will definitely be going in the regular rotation. Thanks!