Cheese Mushroom and Spinach Cauliflower Crust Calzone

January 26, 2015

Cheese Mushroom and Spinach Cauliflower Crust Calzone




It’s time to celebrate, people!
What you ask?
A recipe.
Because there’s a recipe on TheIronYou — posted almost two years ago — that has been viewed, clicked, gawked, and commented on over 350k times to date (I know, right?)
A recipe that has been featured in numerous online magazines and blogs. A recipe that you guys are in love with — almost as much as I’m in love with it. A recipe that I make (almost) weekly, because it’s one of my fave recipes of all time. A recipe that is a total winner.
Which recipe you ask?
**drumroll please**
The cauliflower crust calzone, of course. What else?

Making Cauliflower Crust Calzone



Making Cauliflower Crust Calzone
I originally posted the recipe on July 7th 2013 and it’s been a hit ever since.
To be honest, I’m not even sure if there would be still TheIronYou today, if it wasn’t for the cauli crust calzone recipe.
So many pageviews, so much positive feedback, it really keeps you going.
You see guys, it’s very rewarding when you create something that is appreciated and enjoyed so much by the others.
You’re like “Uhm, maybe I’m not that bad at this thing after all!

Cheese Mushroom and Spinach Cauliflower Crust Calzone




This recipe is nothing new. It’s actually the exact same recipe of the original cauli crust calzone recipe, except for the filling — which is so awesome btw, and you should totally try it.
I wanted to post it nonetheless; as a way to celebrate what I believe is one of my most original creations to date.
For once, I hope you don’t mind if I make a big deal about it.

Cheese Mushroom and Spinach Cauliflower Crust Calzone


Cheese, Mushroom and Spinach Cauliflower Crust Calzone                                 Print this recipe!

Ingredients
Makes three calzones (enough for 3 people)

Cauliflower Crust

1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets (should yield 3 cups of cauliflower rice)
1 free-range organic egg, lightly beaten
½ cup / 1.7 oz / 50 gr shredded mozzarella cheese
½ teaspoon fine grain sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Filling

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 8 oz package sliced crimini (baby bella) mushrooms
1 garlic clove, minced
½ teaspoon dried oregano
3 cups baby spinach
¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 450°F (220°C) and place a rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and grease it with olive oil. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until mushrooms are brown, stirring every so often, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and oregano and cook for 1 further minute. Add spinach stirring just until wilted, about 1 minute. Transfer to medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
In a food processor rice the cauliflower florets (it should be evenly chopped but not completely pulverized).
Transfer cauliflower rice (about 3 cups) to a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 8 minutes, until cooked.
Place the cauliflower rice in a tea towel and twist it to squeeze as much moisture as you can (I usually squeeze out over a cup of liquid). This is very important. The cauliflower rice needs to be dry, otherwise you’ll end up with mushy dough, impossible to use for making calzones.
Transfer the cauliflower rice to a mixing bowl and add egg, mozzarella, oregano, sea salt and pepper. Mix well.
Using your hands, press the mixture onto the baking sheet and shape into three discs (diameter should be about 5 inches).
Place in the oven and bake for 10 (no more no less, 10 minutes).
Remove from the oven and, working quickly, top with a bit of mozzarella cheese, then mushroom mixture, distributing evenly. Sprinkle some more mozzarella over mushrooms. Using a large spatula carefully lift the half of the disc without filling and fold it over the other part (that’s ok if the disc brakes a bit).
Use your fingers to push the edges of each calzone together and seal in the filling.
Bake in the oven for an additional 12 minutes.
Serve hot!

Nutrition facts

One calzone yields 240 calories, 16 grams of fat, 7 grams of carbs, and 19 grams of protein.

46 comments:

  1. MMmmmmMmmm...this.looks.so.yummy. Thank you for sharing, and keep doing what your doing! :-)

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  2. ohhhh yes, if this is as good as the cauliflower cheese sandwich, I am going to be in heaven!

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  3. ..."viewed, clicked, gawked, and commented on over 350k times to date" CONGRATS Duude! But am not surprised - you are hands down the King Of Cauliflower creations!

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    1. Thanks Shashi, from now on you can address me as "Your Majesty". Are we clear?

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  4. That is amazing, 350k times.... But I am not surprised, it is a very clever recipe and one that I've been meaning to try but not sure why it gets postponed.

    Cauliflower is such an amazing ingredient, and you do take it to all sorts of higher levels!

    keep them coming!

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    1. It's time you give the cauli crust calzone a try Sally, you won't be disappointed!

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  5. Mate, it was this recipe which first drew me to your blog and what a winner it is. You deserve all the accolades and more for showing that cauliflower can be sexy,

    Wait. What?

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    1. I won't go as far as saying that cauliflower is sexy, let's say it's a good trooper? How's with that?

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  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  7. Oh my! Cannot wait to make this!

    http://www.mylipstickandlulu.com

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  8. This looks amazing!

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  9. I love this so much. Of course we can always have different fillings for the Calzone, but the cauliflower crust, it is brilliant. I am surprised that no flour is added. Probably more eggs and add a little bit of flour will be easier to form the crust. But of course, this reduces the texture. Maybe for beginner like me is not a bad idea, and thinking to use skillet to make the crust too. :)

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    1. There's really no need to add flour or more eggs. The crust works as it is. Every.Single.Time.
      Trust me!

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  10. I'm in love with this healthy version of one of my favorite comfort foods! So yummy!

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  11. I think you should take a moment to sit back and bask in your cauliflower genius! And... you've done it again because this looks so good, I mean all those crispy golden edges have me hungry again right after eating! :)

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  12. That looks amazing. I'll have to try them. Have you tried using the cauliflower for something like a pizza base or bread?

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    1. Have you seen the garlic cauliflower breadsticks recipe? O M G. Always a hit when I make them for a party. Everyone loves them! And cauliflower pizza crust? My bf likes it better than regular pizza crust!

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  13. Congrats Mike! love your cauliflower recipes!

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  14. Have to try that! Looks & sounds delicious!

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  15. Made this last night, it's one of the best things ever. Thanks for the great recipe!

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  16. This calzone looks freakin' delicious, Mike...err, I mean Your Majesty. High five to you for the 350k views...that's totally insane! That makes you a Web Celeb...and thus the title of Your Majesty is well earned. Except I think it should be Alpha Majesty... #WolfpackEats

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  17. I, GENEVIEVE EATS CELEBRITIES needs NEEDS NEEDS to make this (minus the cheese) ASAP!!!!!!!!! I saw something like this a few months back, and holy moly, It's ONNNNNN!!! Pizzeria in my kitchen, YES SIR!

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  18. Mike this is my first time viewing this creation of yours and it looks and sounds fantastic. I'm definitely trying this calzone. And made from cauliflower - way cool. #WolfpackEats

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  19. I´ll try this tomorrow, let´s see how it goes...
    Thanks so much for sharing this!!

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  20. Hi Mike - Can you boil the cauliflower in hot water, dran the water then use a hand mixer to create the rice like mixture then drain and mix with other ingredients for the dough? (I dont have a food processor)

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  21. For real!? This is exactly what I've been searching for! Cauliflower is one of my favorites but in this combination it seems truly amazing! Thank you for a great recipe!

    /F

    http://globalspicedblog.tumblr.com/

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  22. Hello Mr awesome. Since I am a big fan of bakepro I think I'm gonna try this lovely recepie adding some bakepro. Is successful may I add it to my blog? Cheers

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  23. Very good. I'm on the 21 day fix and I may be a bit over with the cheese but very tasty. Thanks!

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  24. Wow! Congrats for that 350k, you awesome! And this dish deserved that more than anything else. I haven't seen it the first time you posted it, but if I do, I'll definitely make it more than it is clicked and gawked.. haha. I really love this, I am looking for a dish that will fit perfect with best cocktails in hong kong and this seems legit. Now I know what will be the perfect servings for Valentines =)

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  25. I've tried a couple of cauliflower recipes before that I liked but my family gave me the stink eye for. Looks like I'll be trying one more because this looks soooo good! :-)

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  26. I think my husband will be singing my praises after I try this. Absolutely can't wait!

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  27. This may be a silly question but what is a tea towel?

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  28. I don't own a microwave...

    Is there something else I can do?

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  29. would this still be good eaten cold? possibly made in advance and added to a picnic basket? is it freezable? very excited to try this one!

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  30. I tried these today and OMG!!! it was amazing, I was a bit afraid because I haven't been a big fan of cauliflower but after this I just wanna eat it everyday, I just had to put some chicken on them bacause I love chicken and mushrooms, I made your coconut avocado fries (with breadcrumbs because I couldn't find the coconut) and the sriracha mayo, best meal I have had in some time, thanks, looking forward more of your delicious recipes, next I think I'll do the cauliflower crust burgers, I can image liking my fingers already.

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  31. I can't wait to make this!! Is it possible to use a flax egg instead of a real one? My boyfriend HATES eggs and can somehow sniff them out in anything...
    Looks awesomee

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  32. I just happen to have fresh oregano on hand. Could I use that instead of dried? If so, the same amount?
    Thanks.

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  33. Has anyone juiced their cauliflower? I have a great juicer, and I am wondering if that would omit the squeeze-the-moisture-out step. I will be using the cauliflower for this type of recipe, so I don't really need it to have a rice-like consistency.

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  34. This is truly something to be proud of, so you are allowed to feel good about it! I was just thinking about how I should make this again (I made it several times already) and had no idea that it was as popular as you wrote, but had no DOUBT that it would be good. I made it one summer in the morning, thinking I could beat the heat, but no. I had those big, blue Mr. Clean gloves on to squeeze out the water since it wasn't cooling down quickly, and sweat was dripping down my back. That's how determined I was to make it! It is truly magical and I save all three for myself! I fantasize about making it again, and it gives me the excuse to by a few heads of cauliflower because, hey, now I "need" them. Thanks for the awesome recipe that will go down in history :).

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