Veggie & Meat Lovers STROMBOLI'S!!!

End Result! Bella!

Another cold December day... Nothing like getting in the kitchen tossing some dough around and making another great Italian Classic, THE STROMBOLI! This is my grandma's recipe and it starts with good dough. To make the best dough you need to make it the day before and let sit covered over night in the fridge. Don't be intimated by making your own dough. Although it may seem tough at first, its like anything in life, it becomes easier the more you do it! So don't be discouraged! We choose to make a Meat Lovers and a Veggie Stromboli, you can add or take away from this recipe and truly make your own variation! That's what its all about taking food to the next level and that level is YOURS! Great memories & great food lay ahead all you have to do is pick up some ingredients and get on your own journey!!! I am just here to help you discover that! I hope you enjoy!

Dough

Veggie & Meat Lovers Stromboli

Again, like I said you need to let the dough sit for the night, so keep that in mind before you start. If you don't have the time then you can make it before hand, but let sit atleast 2-4 hours to let the dough rise before cooking.

Recipe Ingredients:

For Homemade Dough:

- 4 cups of unbleached flour
- 2 cups of Warm water
- Packet of Baking Yeast
- 2 tbs of E.V.O

Dough

For  Stromboli Fillings:

- 2 Green Peppers
- 1 Chopped Onion
- 1 lb. of Ham
- 1 lb of Pepperoni
- 1/2 lb. Mushrooms
- 2 lb of Mozzarella Cheese

For Dipping Sauce:

- 2 cans of 8oz tomato paste
- Fresh Basil
- 2-4 Cloves of Garlic
- 1/2 Onion
- 1/4 cup of Sugar
- Salt & Pep

Stromboli Dough

Veggies & Sweet Dipping Sauce

Start off with a large bowl, I always use a small amount of Olive Oil and rub my hands with it, this helps with handling the dough and not letting it stick to your hands. The first thing you need to do is add your 4 cups of unbleached flour into the bowl, then add your 2 tbs of Olive Oil, a packer of yeast and mix this all together. Then start to slowly add your warm water into the Bowl and mix with your hands until it begins to clump together and can be pulled of the side. Meade with your hands and continue to add water or flour to the mixture until your dough begins to form. By the end of this process your should be able to mold the dough and have it become a soft ball that is one single shape and consistency. Do not be afraid to add more flour to the dough to make it easier to handle. Once the dough is finished place in center of bowl in a small round ball, cover with plastic wrap or foil and let sit overnight in the fridge. This process allows the yeast to react with the flour and water and rise into a fluffy dough, good for Sicilian Pizza, Calzones & Stromboli.

Veggies

Veggie's

 For the Veggie Stromboli we decided on Green Pepper & Onions for the filling. I started by chopping a half onion very fine, as well as a 1/2 lb of Mushrooms & Juliane a whole Green Pepper, then added them in a pan with 2 tbs of Olive Oil, I covered the pan and let sit for 10-15 minutes on medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until the veggies become soft and browned. Then bring to low heat and let sit before handling.

Step 1: Add Fillings

Step 2: Fold & Pinch

Step 3: Top to Bottom

Meat Lover's

For the Meat Lover we decided on Ham & Pepperoni, very simply bought some pepperoni sliced and some Black Forest Ham to place in the dough. Like a have said before, try something new add your favorite pizza toppings or whatever you want to this dish. Make it your own!

Step 1: Add Fillings

Step 2: Fold & Pinch

Step 3: Fold top to bottom

Sweet Sauce

Dipping Sauce

It can be made two different ways depending on the time you have. The first way is the old fashioned way, pick 8-10 fresh tomato. After you Pick your tomatoes you need to wash them, De-core them which is basically just removing the vine from the top. Bring a large pot filled with water to a boil, then place the De-cored tomatoes into the boiling water, after 8-10 minutes they should be plumbed and ready to be cooled and peeled. Again use your eye and best judgment, once they are ready, drain the water and split and peel the tomato. Let Cool, and once you can handle, mash with hands until the tomatoes are broken down. Now you can start adding, Fresh Basil, 4 TSP of Sugar, 1/2 cup of fresh chopped onion, 2-3 chopped cloves of garlic and Salt & Pep to taste and throw in some Olive Oil for some taste. Stir Sauce on Medium-High for around 15 minutes. Ounce on Medium-High for at least 15 minutes you can place on low heat and remember the longer you have the sauce and ingredients together the more flavor!!!

The second way  and the way I made it for the Stromboli Sauce is much less time consuming and less laboring. Instead of using fresh tomatoes, you can use 2 cans of tomato paste. Then repeat the last steps and flavor to taste. You can add meat to the sauce for more flavor, I have made this sauce with Italian Sausage and Ground Beef, both are delicious and add great flavor to the dish. Just Saute meat of choice with some olive oil and place in sauce while heating on medium high.
Stromboli's

In the Oven!!!

Basted

Take your dough out of the fridge and let sit for an hour or so before handling to let the dough warm up before using it. Then mead the dough together. Take out 2 cookie sheets or any size pan that is bake friendly. Take half the dough and roll into a long 8 inch or so  4 inch wide or so oval shape, do the same for both halves. Add Italian Seasoning for flavor and press into the dough. Then place a layer of Mozzarella cheese down and place toppings on top. Repeat for any toppings used. Once done with all topping try to keep them centered on the dough. Then cover with the rest of the cheese. Once this is done you can begin to roll the dough over each other, pinching the center together and working from the top of the dough to the bottom. Once covered and pinched together then you can slit 4 to 5 cuts onto the top of the finished Stromboli, to help cook the ingredients and allow the Stromboli to breath while baking. The last step that I like to do is melt some butter mixed with Italian Seasoning. Then brush the entire outside of the Stromboli with the butter mixture, this allows the dough to become golden and adds a great flavor to the dough. Set your oven to 415 and let bake for 20-25 minutes. You can continue to baste at the 10 minute mark. Serve your Sweet Dipping sauce on the side or right on top of the finished Stromboli!!! BELLA!!! ITS ALL TO EAT!! Don't FORGET TO ENJOY! MANGA!

Finished Product!!!

BELLA!!!!

Both of these came out perfect and WOW did they taste delicious! BELLA!!! Enjoy, sit down with some wine or beer and enjoy your company with whoever your with! Make the Dinning table the most important place in the house! Until Next time, remember ITS ALL TO EAT!!! SUO TUTTO MANGIARE!!!

Looking Good!

Finished Meat Lover!!!

Finished Veggie!!!

-freddy