Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I went to a luncheon and brought this heart warming soup! It was thick, rich and delicious! I doubled the recipe and it served 8 people perfectly, when doubled. The original recipe can be found here.
The perfect presentation would have been to serve it into bread bowls! But, I was being cost efficient and didn't find it necessary to spend $4 on a bread bowl when we had homemade rolls there as well! It was very good and I would definitely make it again!

Recipe Serves 4
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter, melted ( I added more
1/2 medium onion, chopped (Instead, I replaced with  minced onion powder) My husband doesn't like the texture of onions.
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups half-and-half ( I added more, it will depend how thin or thick you like your soup)
2 cups chicken stock or bouillon
1/2 pound fresh broccoli
1 cup carrots, julienned (this time I omitted the carrots)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
8 ounces grated sharp cheddar (Again, I added more, all of these things are to taste.)

I also added a bit of garlic powder to taste. I would start with 1/4 tsp.
Directions

Saute onion in butter. 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 (this is called making a roux). 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. Add salt and pepper. The soup should be thickened by now. Pour in batches into blender and puree. Return to pot over low heat and add the grated cheese; stir until well blended. Stir in the nutmeg and serve.  Garnish with fresh steamed broccoli and sprinkle with cheese. Serve with crusty roll or in a bread bowl.

CHICKEN WRAPS

OK, so every time I go to Chik-fil-A, I almost always get their chicken Caesar cool wraps I have a very addictive personality. I was addicted to Starbucks and then to jambajuice, and then to chocolate factory, Lowe's Hot dogs or hot dog stands in general, you name a place I probably have had an addiction to it, where I just can't satisfy. I even have addictions to certain cleaning products that I have to have or have to use. The whole reason why I like Chik-fil-A is because they serve CAFFEINE FREE diet coke. I hear they are phasing the caffeine free and will no longer sell it. When I can master my favorite food item or drink from a restaurant I no longer feel the need to go.
I made my own. They are very easy to do and so much cheaper too! So, you got rid of your CF diet coke. I have to say thank you because my wallet is fatter! Here is my spin on a fabulous wrap. The picture shows just a wrap with out any chicken. We were out today, but they taste just as fabulous without! Give it a try. My children have requested these in their lunches.

Xtra large flour tortillas
a package of leafy green lettuce or romaine
Asiago,Parmesan and Romano cheese
Caesar dressing
Rotisserie chicken cubed or chicken breast seasoned and grilled.

Microwave your tortilla for 30 seconds or brown in pan on stove.
Add a handful of greens to your tortilla
sprinkle shredded Parmesan, Romano and asiago cheese liberally onto lettuce
add a small handful of chicken and pour Caesar dressing on top.
Tightly roll tortilla and slice on the diagonal. Perfect, just like the real thing.

Hamburgers

This is an easy night for us! and well we have this junk food occassionally. I love to make a hamburger and load it with everything I can possibly think of. We have tomatoes, onions, pickles, lettuce, pineapples, cheese, jalapenos, and Bill even fries and egg. By the time you add all of your favorite toppings this burger is fit for a king. We did not have fresh ground sirloin. We used ::eek:: frozen hamburger patties. Pretty easy simple meal. Serve with a salad or vegetable and fruit.

The secret to getting your cheese to melt on a burger is to cover your burger with a lid or pot and it will melt the cheese on top. I saw this done on one of the food network shows.