'Nduja Pizza Pockets Recipe

Servings: 8
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 1 ½ hours

for the blue cheese dipping sauce:
½ cup|150 grams gorgonzola
½ cup|125 grams mayonnaise
½ cup|125 grams sour cream
¼ cup|60 ml buttermilk
a few splashes Cholula® Original Hot Sauce

for the filling:
1 garlic clove, minced
½ serrano chili, stemmed and finely chopped
½ small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 ½ tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 ¼ pounds|575 grams ‘nudja
2 tablespoons Cholula® Chipotle Hot Sauce
1 (14.5 ounce|405 ml) can crushed tomatoes
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

for the dough:
4 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
3 ½ cups|454 grams all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1. Make the dipping sauce: Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl and cover. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Make the filling: Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high. Add the chopped vegetables and cook until soft, 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook 2 minutes longer. Stir in the Cholula® Chipotle Hot Sauce and cook 1 to 2 minutes, then stir in the tomatoes. Add 1 cup water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until thick, 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add the ’nduja and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as you stir, until smooth, about 6 minutes. Add the ‘nudja to the sauce and stir to combine. Remove from the heat and cool completely, then stir in the mozzarella cheese.
4. Make the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the yeast, sugar, and 1 ½ cups water heated to 115°F. Let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add the flour and salt and mix on medium speed until a smooth dough forms, about 5 minutes. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise 30 minutes.
5. Heat the oven to 425°F. Divide the dough into 8 equal balls. Cover with plastic wrap and, working with 1 ball of dough at a time on a lightly floured surface, roll the ball into a 6-inch circle. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Place about ½ cup filling in the middle of the circle, then fold the circle over on itself to create a half moon. Using a fork, seal the edges of the pocket. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Using a fork, poke holes in the top of each pizza pocket and brush with the eggs. Bake until golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with the dipping sauce.

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