Three-Meat Calzones

1. Coat a large bowl and a small sheet pan with cooking spray.

2. In a small bowl, combine yeast, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, and water. Let stand for 15 minutes, and then stir in olive oil. (If your mixture isn’t foamy after 15 minutes, your yeast is dead.)

3. Using a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment, briefly combine bread flour, remaining 1 tablespoon sugar, and salt. Slowly add the yeast mixture until a ball forms around the hook. Turn your mixer to medium speed and knead for about 10 minutes.

If your dough just isn’t coming together, it might be because of the weather or altitude. You can add a bit of water—such as a teaspoon or two—to give it some more moisture.

4. Turn your dough out onto the counter and knead by hand a few times. Form the mixture into a ball and place in the bowl that is sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 hour.

I have a problem finding a “warm” place in my kitchen without turning on the oven. So I usually take a mug of hot water and heat it in the microwave for 1 minute. I push that into the corner of the microwave, and then put my dough in and close the microwave. The steamy water makes it warm, and it’s certainly draft-free.

5. Punch down the dough and divide it into four equal pieces. Form each into a ball. Place on the greased baking sheet, cover, and let rise for another 30-40 minutes.

6. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees and generously spread cornmeal on a baking sheet.

7. Combine hamburger or sausage, ham, pepperoni, cheese, and 1/2 cup pizza sauce in a medium bowl.

8. For each calzone, roll a piece of the dough into about a 10-inch circle. Perfect circles need not apply.

9. Place about 1 cup of filling in the center of one side of the circle.

10. Brush the edges of the dough with water to help with the seal, and then fold over one side of the dough. Crimp the edges of the dough with a fork to seal them.

11. Place the calzones on the cornmeal-covered baking sheet. (I usually bake two and freeze two for later.)

12. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until crust is golden. Brush with a bit of olive oil, and serve with heated pizza or marinara sauce.