It's Channukah Time!

Happy Channukah everyone!  The Festival of Lights began Saturday night.  We headed up to Thatmom's house to celebrate with family.

Thatbaby was an excellent present picker-outer this year.  He got both his dad and uncle matching shirts they both love. 

And he got a pretty good stash himself!  The first night of Channukah he ended up with a new tricycle, some cool clothes, and a pair of sneakers!

And then on the second night he got a rocking horse.  Which he loves.  He still calls it row-row when he rocks, but it's a start.

As for me, I've done pretty well so far too!  On the first night I got a new pair of vibrams, a new sports bra, and gift certificates to Macys and Nordstroms.  The second night I got a new pair of earbuds.  On the third night, it was the new Matchbox Twenty cd.  So far this is the best Channukah I've had in a long time!

 

 Traditional Channukah foods are fried in oil.  But I don't do a lot of frying, and this is not a traditional Channukah food.  According to Thatboy, who looked over my shoulder, it's not even an attractive food.  But it was a delicious meal - which Thatboy was quick to point out.  ("That calzone doesn't look very good, but it tasted incredible.")

I grew up in a very Italian American town, so I'm no stranger to calzones.  Thatboy, however, claims to have never had one before he met me.  Maybe that's why he liked this one so much?  Although, really, what's not to love when you have doughy pizza crust stuffed with creamy ricotta and broccoli?

 Broccoli Calzone

2 tablespoons cornmeal
1 tablespoon olive oil
  3 shallots, sliced
1 crown of broccoli, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsps minced fresh thyme
1/4 tsp salt and pepper
1/4 cup water
1 large egg
2/3 cup ricotta cheese
2/3 cup diced mozzarella
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1 pizza dough

1. Preheat the oven to 450. Sprinkle baking sheet with the cornmeal.  Heat oil in small skillet.  Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the broccoli, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute. 
3. Add the water, cover, and steam for 4 minutes.  
4. In a separate bowl, combine the egg and cheeses.  
5. Divide the pizza dough into 4 balls.  Roll each out into a small circle.
6. On the bottom half of each circle place 1/4 of the cheese and 1/4 of the broccoli.
7. Brush the edges of the dough with water and fold the top half over the stuffing, pinching the edges to seal.
8. Place calzones on the baking sheet and bake 15 minutes.