Brilliance in Blogging? No Way!

Last year I attended the Britmums Live parent blogger conference for the first time. I leaned loads from other fantastic bloggers and it was a real turning point for me and Gourmet Mum. The highlight of the conference was the Brilliance in Blogging awards or BiBs as they are known. It was a

lovely ceremony, Katy Hill presented the awards and there was an enormous sense of pride and achievement (and a few tears) as the winners collected their trophies.

The last thing I was expecting this year was to be shortlisted for an award myself! Gourmet Mum is one of 16 blogs shortlisted in the Best Food Blog category. It means so much to me, and when I think that people were kind enough to nominate me is very humbling indeed. I must admit that I did have a little sob when I heard the news.

So, you have probably guessed what's coming next! If you don't mind, please can you take a moment to vote for me so I have a chance to become one of 6 finalists? One winner will be chosen from the 6 finalists by a panel of judges so I won't be asking for anymore votes after this - promise!

Here's a little video of me and my boys making a shameless plea for votes:

Thanks so much! I really appreciate every vote!

Voting ends 12th May at midnight.

Filipa x

Turkey Calzone

I was challenged by the people at Lean on Turkey to devise an exciting pizza or pasta recipe using fresh Turkey to feed four people for under £10. I went for the more unusual option of Calzone, which is essentially a folded pizza, which looks like a big pasty. In Italy they're made with pastry but we tend to use pizza dough over here.

Turkey Calzone look fairly impressive, but they are surprisingly easy to make. I used shop bought pizza base mix but you can make your own pizza dough if you prefer. Swap the mushrooms and peppers for any vegetables you fancy, and chilli if you like. To reduce the fat content further, swap the cheese for a few parmesan shavings or leave out completely.

This is a great recipe for kids to get involved with as kids love playing with dough. Let them get involved and make their own individual calzone filled with their favourite things. They're also great for a picnic as they are fairly portable.

These were a real hit when I made them at home, everyone wolfed them down. They are great to make at the weekend or even for a casual dinner party with some nice side salads.

Turkey Calzone: Serves 4 Adults:

Time:  25 mins prep + 20 mins cooking
Cost:  £1.98 per serving
Calories:  593 per serving

• 2 x 145g pizza base mix
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for frying
• 1 red onion, halved and sliced
• 400g fresh turkey steaks, cut into strips against the grain
• 150g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato puree
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Pinch chilli flakes (optional)
• 1 red pepper, sliced
• 150g mushrooms, sliced
• 145g half fat mozzarella, thinly sliced
• 60g mature cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
• Handful of fresh basil (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Salad to serve (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 220 C / gas mark 7. Make the pizza base mix according to the instructions on the packet and roll out into 2 large or 4 small circles. Place on baking paper lined baking sheets and leave in a warm place while you make the filling. I leave mine on top of the hob while the oven preheats. It's not essential to use baking paper but I find it helps with the folding later on.
2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion until soft for a couple of minutes. Add the turkey and stir fry until browned for around four minutes. Then add all the remaining ingredients except the basil and cheeses and stir fry for a further 4-5 minutes over a medium to high heat. Stir the ingredients constantly at this stage. You want the vegetables to be just slightly soft and the mixture should be fairly dry with no juice in the bottom of the pan.
3. Brush the pizza dough lightly with olive oil leaving a 2-3cm border at the edge. Spread the turkey calzone filling evenly over one half of the dough and top with the cheese and basil leaves. Slide your hand under the baking paper and fold the other half of the dough over the top of the filling to make a half moon shape. Crimp the edges of the dough together by pressing down with your fingers. Fold over the crimped edge and press down again with your fingers. Make a couple of slits in the top of the dough to let out steam. Bake for around 20 minutes until golden and bubbling. Serve with salad if you like.

How to assemble your Turkey Calzone with step by step pictures:

Roll out your dough into 2 large or 4 small circles. Place on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Keep in a warm place while you make your filling.

Brush the pizza dough lightly with olive oil leaving a 2-3cm border at the edge. Spread the turkey calzone filling evenly over one half of the dough and top with the cheese and basil leaves.

Slide your hand under the baking paper and fold the other half of the dough over the top of the filling to make a half moon shape. 

Crimp the edges of the dough together by pressing down with your fingers.

Fold over the crimped edgeand press down again with your fingers.

Make a couple of slits in the top of the dough to let out steam and bake.

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