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Healthy Meals for Healthy Kids

Looking for ways to include more fruits and vegetables at every meal? Check out our meal plans for help today! 

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Spinach Calzones and the Produce Promise

For 6 years, since starting this blog, I've been on a mission to convince my children that  fruits and vegetables are not only going to help them feel great, but also that they taste great!  Last night I felt success!  We were at church, and all the 12 year old girls were being introduced to the group.   When it was Erica's turn, and the girl introducing her said "Erica's favorite food is..." I cringed.  I actually didn't know what she had told them, and I was sure she was going to say pizza or cookies. But she had answered- ORANGES!  Her favorite food is oranges! I was definitely proud of her!

Getting kids to love fruits and vegetables early enough in life to enjoy the benefits is a noble goal.  When fruits and veggies are a big part of your families life:

  • Their risk for disease will decrease
  • Their Weight will be easier to manage
  • The aging process will slow down,
  • They will sleep better
  • They'll have more energy
  • And best of all, they'll be happier

The promises of eating more fruits and vegetables are so fabulous that every good parent should desire for their kids to fall in love with produce.  Today's recipe is a great way to make spinach taste amazing!  We first shared this recipe a year ago in our Valentines meal plan, but we've enjoyed it so many more times since then, I wanted to share it on the blog.

Spinach Heart Calzones- Super Healthy Kids

Calzones are a great place to add veggies.   We've made these with broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, and carrots and onions before.  Each time, my kids gobbled them up!  Here is our final recipe:

 

Spinach Calzones and the Produce Promise


Instructions

  • 1 pkg yeast
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 ¾ cup white flour
  • 1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour
  • Filling:
  • 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
Instructions
  1. Combine yeast, sugar and warm water and let set for 5 minutes. Mix remaining ingredients and then add yeast mixture. Let dough rise, in a warm place, for about 1-2 hours, until double in size.
  2. Roll out a small portion of the dough at a time, cutting two equal sized hearts with a cookie cutter. Fill middle with filling, thin layer marinara sauce, cheese, and spinach, and then crimp edges with a fork. Set on baking tray. Bake at 400 for 10-15 minutes until lightly browned. Test to make sure dough is done baking. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

Additional Filling Ideas:
-Pineapple Tidbits
-Diced Green Pepper
-Sliced Black Olives
-Sliced Mushrooms

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Comments

Sharee
01/31/2013 8:46am
I've done home made poptarts... Is the crust for these calzones closer to say a puff pastry? Or breadier like a roll? I don't have too much experience with calzones, but would like to try the recipe.
01/31/2013 11:40am
It's softer- like pizza crust!
01/31/2013 9:12am
Oh, that salad... I know this post isn't about the salad at all, but I'm dying over it. It's my favorite, especially in the summer when all that produce is fresh. Mmm... And those calzones... LOVE the heart shapes. It's all about the appearance with kids, isn't it?! All I can say is that I'm headed to the store to buy spinach, strawberries, and feta cheese (already have the nuts). Spinach Strawberry Salad, here I come! I can't wait 'til lunch time!
Heather H
01/31/2013 12:40pm
Hi -- How many calzones would this recipe make and how many do you think are a servings (not sure how big they are). Thanks!
01/31/2013 12:43pm
We get about 8 calzones out of these. We use the big heart cookie cutter- like the one intended for sandwiches.
Heather H
01/31/2013 12:48pm
Thanks! Do you think an adult would eat one or two? I assume a kidlet 1! :)
01/31/2013 12:55pm
Two if you are like me (love to eat!)
Marissa
02/12/2013 9:39am
I'd like to make this for my 14 month old and husband for valentine's day dinner, but I will be working and won't get home until late. Can this dough be made up the night before?
02/15/2013 2:05pm
Sorry I'm late to reply! If you haven't already done this, I probably would make the entire thing (including cooking), and just reheat them. I think bread dough is sort of unpredictable in the pre-making.
Jessica
03/08/2013 10:54am
How well do you think these would do if they were frozen?
03/08/2013 10:56am
The do freeze well as long as your packaging is freezer safe (so they don't get freezer burn). Just make sure the entire thing is cooked and then frozen, so you only are reheating it. Rather than freezing the raw dough. good luck! let us know how it turns out!

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