APPLE & SMOKED MOZARELLA MINI CALZONES
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 12:07PM 
My dad, sister and I have had years of battling with my mom over the stuff she hoards in the garage. If you need a treadmill, non-functioning keyboard, halloween costumes for any age group, old silverware, paint in ANY shade of the color spectrum, it is in my mom's garage. It's a treasure trove of memories, junk, and admittedly useful items that I've taken to fill up our empty apartment.
Yesterday, I came across a box of frames I had on the wall of my room in college. They were all black, in attempt to keep some aesthetic to an entire wall full of pictures. After sitting in my mom's garage for a few years, they'd gathered a thick coat of dust; I cleaned them all off, and I can recall the specific circumstances of each of those captured moments.
We are just about two weeks from getting married now, and in this crunch time, I will confess that I'm at the height of emotion, most things bring me to tears, but the pictures reminded me how full my life has been/is. Not of things, wealth, or huge success', but full of people who have loved me for the majority of my years. Pictures of me laughing with my sister back when she dyed her hair different colors every week; my best friends Terri, Shan and Brit, from a trip to Italy, noses bright pink whilst experiencing coldest day of our lives; different images with my college roomates, who have undoubtedly been the most sincere friends I've ever known; Hugh and I five plus years ago... we were a little sad to see that yes, we are aging, but the carefree expressions are the same in our most recent pictures too. He has consistently made me so happy. These pictures reminded me how wonderful it is to be surrounded by people that are easy to be around. I just love these people SO much, and the greatest part is that each of them are an active part of my life to this day.
Speaking of being filled with goodness, I bring you mini calzones. Something that may look a little standard from the outside, but has warm fall flavors inside. Just little pockets of simple loveliness, like a box of old, dusty pictures. 
APPLE + SMOKED MOZARELLA MINI CALZONES // Makes 12
I have included a link to the whole wheat dough I like, but you can buy one from a local pizza place or at some grocery stores to save yourself time.
1 Whole Wheat Pizza Crust (see recipe here)
1 Yellow Onion, sliced thin
1/2 tbsp. Butter
1 Medium Apple (Honeycrisp, Fuji or anything crispy)
1 Cup Diced Smoked Mozarella Cheese
1 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Handful of Fresh Thyme
Handful of Fresh Chives
Extra Virgin Olive Oil for brushing
Dijon Mustard to Serve
Heat oven to 500'
1. Make the pizza dough according to recipe link, or if using a premade crust, let it come to room temperature.
2. In the meantime, warm the butter over medium heat in a saucepan and add the thinly sliced onion. Continue to move them every so often until they begin to caramelize, this whole process takes about 20 minutes give or take.
3. Seed and cut the apple into a rough dice. Pull of the thyme leaves, and give the thyme and chives and nice chop. Get all your fillings in order for easy stuffing.
4. Roll out the dough into a shape resembling a rectangle. You want the dough thin, but not too gentle that it will rip when you stuff and fold. Use a sharp knife to cut across, making about 3x3 inch squares. Lay them on a floured baking sheet in lines, see picture.
5. Pile your toppings in the middle of the square. I did the order of onions, apples, both cheeses, herbs and a twist of black pepper... but I don't believe it makes any difference. Gently fold one corner across to the corner opposite, and gently press and fold the open edges. Repeat with all 12 or however many you end up with.
6. Brush the top of each mini calzone with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake in the upper third of the oven for about 14 minutes until tops are crispy brown. Let them rest just a minute before eating, serve with a little dipping dish of dijon mustard.


Reader Comments (69)
you're cuter now than ever.
This is such a great recipe! Sounds delicious :-) Wish you a happy wedding day! Exciting times!
Is this what Hugh was photographing in the gymnastic Twitter picture you posted? Well, it was so worth it! I can't wait to make these. People really love things like this at parties!
Oh my gosh..that comment from Hugh..sigh. Good luck to the two of you! Can't wait to see a glimpse into your big day. Also can't wait to try out these cute calzones!
These look like so much fun! A great fall treat. Cheers to a joyful, fun, incredible wedding. Wishing you and Hugh all the best!
Oh wow - fabulous calzone idea! I love fruit and smoked cheese together.
I am in love with this recipe. It's not something I'd ever have thought to make but it's perfect!
Love this idea! I made a calzone for dinner last night, but I think mini ones are even cuter! Plus the rustic edges are great here. I cannot wait to hear about your wedding- have a wonderful 2 weeks and dont forget to breathe ;)
I have that picture in my room and I swear the frame has ice on it just from holding the memory of that day. I'm so proud of all that you're doing and cannot wait for the next chapter of our journey to unfold. We may be getting old, but we are earning our wrinkles, my dear friend.
And by the way, I am making these tonight :)
I worry about my Mom's hoarding, too and sadly hers hasn't come in handy for me :) Everything looks better in little pockets!
I just posted baked stuffed apples w/ Cantal cheese and nuts!
A bit of a strange combo, but the savory stuffing worked.
I love these mini calzones w/ the caramelized onions and apples!
You have such a beautiful way with words. And beautiful photos, as always.
Best of luck with these next two weeks :)
i was having a similar moment when i was about to have grace and uncovered the picture of us posing as pregnant ladies with basketballs under our shirts at our chorro house. love you.
What a lovely post! Who you surround yourself with really does make all the difference. I can't wait to make these! they look beyond divine ;)
Oh, how exciting!! Wish you both the happiest day ever and beyond! And mini calzones are so cute!
This recipe is a keeper. I had considered posting some apple empanadas for my featured ingredient recipes on apples but I like this savory version in a calzone better. Best wishes to you for your boda.
I love these! I'm a huge fan of portable food - and I love the apple and smokey cheese combo. Yum!
Oh, all the best to you and Hugh. Your happiness and gratitude are totally infectious. I wish you both only the very best.
these are so cute and delicious looking! yumm! congratulations on your upcoming marriage, it really is the best. :)
YUM! Seriously, when are you coming to Paris for cooking classes?? (or just coming to cook for me?) LOVE your recipes and your site, so inspiring! keep it up, merci beaucoup!
My grandfather's house had a similar garage, and the thing I loved the most was finding many childhood toys from two generation of children, and so many pictures of my grandparents when young.
oh wow! your pictures are spot on amazing! jenn and i are starting to incorporate goat's cheese into our diet, this would be an indulging way to start! :)
You are going to make me cry now! I hope we get a peak at your big day, so excited for you! Amidst it all you continue to bring us genius recipes. I love love the idea of mini calzones and can't wait to play with it.
*peek, I mean ;)
So lovely. I can't wait to try this with some smoked paprika added to the mix! Many congrats on your upcoming nuptials.
moving a year or so ago, I expierenced the same feelings with the whole jr. high, high school group. You all are truely BLESSED to have the CLOSE group of friends then, now, and am sure forever. I love calzones and these are a must try.
2 weeeks....yipeeee!
I totally know all about that emotional roller-coaster the months and weeks leading up to the wedding. It's a good time to appreciate the people you love :) These look sooo good. Perfect for a Fall day. Hugs to you, Sara!
adorable thoughts around nostalgia and friends and happiness and living in the now. Not to mention, adorable mini-calzones: must have been a bite of happiness...
Happy planning :)
Will these little delights be at the wedding? If not an invite might be necessary...
Ok these look delicious, love the photos too.
These calzones are a great idea! Think they'd be okay room temp?
Lovely post!
Yum! Can't believe you are posting two weeks before your wedding. Priorities, I guess :)
Sara - Best wishes to you & Hugh! :) His comment to you was so sweet! So wonderful to have your life filled with people who love you completely.
This entire thing makes me happy!!!!
Sara, I love the way you weave personal anecdotes in with your sharing of recipes, it's flawless. Your words and photos are beautiful and I wish you & Hugh all the happiness in the world! Your blog continues to be one of my favorites.
These were delicious!! So delicate and savory. I picked up prepared pizza dough at Whole Foods and made it a quick meal.
these little things are so cute i wanna squeeze 'em :). good luck over the next couple of weeks - it's crazy how rummaging through old stuff evokes all those crazy emotions, but that's probably why those parents of ours keep all that stuff anyway, huh?!
Oh, these look amazing and they are so cute and rustic. Just perfect. Thanks for the inspiration.
[...] Sprouted Kitchen – Apple & Smoked Mozzarella Mini Calzones [...]
This is such great recipe!!! Thanks :-)
Thank you so much for this recipe! I made it tonight, and everyone loved it.
Happy wedding- and I sincerely hope you fill more frames with lovely memories!
xoxo
bianca
Sara,
LOVE your blog; your recipes, the beautiful pictures, but most of all how you write, and tie it all together. Definitely going to try the calzones. Saw your mom today at bible study, I'm so so ecited for your wedding. I'm sure everything will be fantastic with all the creative people in your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you in these next few weeks!!
this look so adorable.. i love it, and your photos are just gorgeous.
This is such an original idea! I just love how they look and I'm sure they'd be a big hit with the fam (which is ultimately what we're always going for here). Thanks for sharing:)
[...] Apple and Smoked Mozzarella Mini Calzones, from Sprouted Kitchen [...]
This is such a sweet, happy post. And the calzones really do look filled with goodness. Congratulations and best wishes!
These look absolutely beautiful! And I'm not sure I'll ever master the art of tidying cooking like your photos suggest!
I don't know how I missed this post but these look delish, and easy. I am putting them on the to-make list for an autumn evening.