everyone loves Panera, I do. But I do not like going in there. It is full of business people in suits on breaks actually at all times, many of them hold their informal meetings there. Well I am never childless. I go in and the kids are screaming bouncing around grabbing everything, being kids. And boy does that bother everyone else who is not a stay at home mom. it is only 15 minutes from my house so I drive by it many times each week. I do not usually stop because there are two good Mexican restaurants right down the road, closer that are $5 for a great lunch and I can go in sit down with my kids and have a nice time. Panera I spend $10 a lunch and because of their clientele's annoyances I eat it in my car. But still I drive by and often long for their yummy food. Here is a copycat of their broccoli cheese soup.
ingredients:
3 tablespoon butter, melted
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup flour
4 cups half-and-half
4 cups chicken stock or bouillon
1 pound fresh broccoli
2 carrots, finly shreaded
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
16+ ounces grated mild cheddar cheese
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup flour
4 cups half-and-half
4 cups chicken stock or bouillon
1 pound fresh broccoli
2 carrots, finly shreaded
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
16+ ounces grated mild cheddar cheese
directions:
Saute onion in butter.
And remember 1 large onion will reduce great. Set aside.
Cook melted butter and flour using a whisk over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Stir constantly and slowly add the half-and-half (making another roux and most importantly DON'T burn it). Add the chicken stock whisking all the time. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat until the veggies are tender for 20-25 minutes. If you would like now you can pour in batches into blender and puree. But at the moment I have no blender and I like the broccoli pieces so I skipped this part. Also this is why I finely grated the carrots. If you are going to blend in you can julienn the carrots Return to pot over low heat and add the grated cheese; stir until well blended. Stir in the nutmeg plus salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat until the veggies are tender for 20-25 minutes. If you would like now you can pour in batches into blender and puree. But at the moment I have no blender and I like the broccoli pieces so I skipped this part. Also this is why I finely grated the carrots. If you are going to blend in you can julienn the carrots Return to pot over low heat and add the grated cheese; stir until well blended. Stir in the nutmeg plus salt and pepper to taste and serve.
If you are going to put this in a bread bowl I would suggest you add a little more flour to make it a tad thicker, but if not enjoy!
Yummm!! And, yeah, my last Panera experience totally involved a screaming kid. :)
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