The Bow Tie

The Bow Tie calzone, with its charming name and delightful design, was created as a special treat for Valentine’s Day—a perfect date-night dish that brings a twist to the classic calzone. This unique creation features two halves, one filled with savory meats and the other with delectable veggies, cleverly joined at the center like a bow tie. Crafting this culinary masterpiece directly on the work surface adds to its allure, but for beginners, using a wooden peel might be easier. With an 8-ounce dough ball, the Bow Tie comes to life with an array of flavors, making it a truly delightful dish that celebrates love and culinary creativity. Whether you’re celebrating a romantic occasion or simply exploring new taste adventures, the Bow Tie calzone is sure to impress and captivate your senses.

INGREDIENTS:

• One 8-ounce (225-gram) ball Master Dough, preferably with starter, made with Poolish
• 1 part flour mixed with 1 part semolina, for dusting
• ¼ cup (45 grams) Sautéed Onions
• 4 small pieces (50 grams) marinated artichokes, drained and chopped
• 2 ounces (55 grams) whole-milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (½ cup)
• 1 oil-packed sundried tomato cut into slivers
• ½ ounce (15 grams) pepperoni slices, preferably in natural casing
• 2 slices (12 grams) Genoa salami
• ⅓ cup (85 grams) Meatball Marinara, warm
• ¼ cup (40 grams) Basil Pesto, at room temperature

PREPARATIONS:

1. Remove the dough ball from the refrigerator and leave wrapped at room temperature until the dough warms to 60°F to 65°F.
2. Position a rack in the center of the oven, place two pizza stones or baking steels on the rack, and preheat the oven to 500°F for 1 hour.

YIELD:

• One 11-inch Bow Tie Calzone

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Build the calzone directly on the work surface or wooden peel for easier maneuvering.
• Be careful when lifting and transferring the calzone to avoid damaging the middle section.

CALZONE ASSEMBLY:

1. Dust the work surface with the dusting mixture and move the dough to the surface.
2. Roll out the dough into an 11-inch round.
3. Use a pizza wheel to make a cut on the edge of the dough round about ¾ inch off center.
4. Continue to cut toward the center of the round, stopping about ¾ inch short of the center.
5. Move the wheel 1½ inches over from where you stopped and cut outward from that point to the opposite edge of the round.
6. You will have a 1½-inch uncut area in the center of the dough.
7. Mound the onions and artichokes in the center of one of the quarters.
8. Mound half of the mozzarella on top of the artichokes and onions and finish with the sundried tomatoes.
9. On the quarter opposite the one just topped, lay the pepperoni slices in the center, mound half of the remaining mozzarella over the top, and drape the salami over the mozzarella.
10. Top the salami with the remaining mozzarella.
11. Lift the untopped side of the dough that is on the same side of the cut as the vegetable filling, and fold it over to enclose the filling.
12. Using the tip of a knife or the tines of a fork, press down around the open edges of the dough to seal with a decorative edge.
13. Repeat the lifting, enclosing, and sealing process on the opposite side to complete the bow-tie shape.

TIPS:

• As you gain confidence in making the Bow Tie calzone, try different fillings to suit your taste preferences.
• When rotating the calzone in the oven, be cautious of the middle section to prevent any mishaps.

The Bow Tie calzone is a delightful and imaginative creation that adds a twist of elegance to the classic calzone. Perfectly crafted for Valentine’s Day, this date-night special celebrates love and culinary creativity, combining savory meats and delectable veggies in a clever bow-tie shape. As you delve into the process of crafting this unique calzone, you can choose to build it directly on the work surface or the wooden peel—whichever suits your comfort level. While the Bow Tie calzone may look intricate, once you master the art of encasing the fillings within the dough, it becomes a culinary masterpiece that is sure to impress.

The appeal of the Bow Tie calzone lies in its adaptability, allowing you to experiment with various fillings and toppings to create a personalized masterpiece. The carefully chosen combination of sautéed onions, marinated artichokes, mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, pepperoni, salami, Meatball Marinara, and Basil Pesto contributes to a flavor symphony that tantalizes the taste buds.

The preparation process may require a bit of practice, but as you become more comfortable with assembling the Bow Tie calzone, you’ll find it an enjoyable culinary adventure. It’s the perfect dish to showcase your creativity and impress your loved ones on special occasions or even during casual gatherings.

When baking the calzone, take care to rotate it carefully, especially when transferring it to the peel, to avoid any mishaps with the middle section. The oven’s heat ensures that the calzone achieves a beautifully browned and crispy crust while the delectable filling comes together to create a harmonious blend of flavors.

In conclusion, the Bow Tie calzone is a culinary gem that brings together the best of both worlds—half meat, half veggie, and entirely delicious. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or simply seeking a delightful twist on the classic calzone, the Bow Tie is a true celebration of love and culinary creativity. Embrace the process of crafting this unique creation, experiment with fillings that speak to your taste preferences, and delight in the artful fusion of flavors—the Bow Tie calzone is a true testament to the joy of culinary innovation.