Hearty Cheese Soup By Panera Bread Recipes

ACTUAL PANERA BREAD RECIPE FOR HEARTY CHEESE SOUP IN A SOURDOUGH

Steps:

• In a large, heavy stockpot, melt butter or margarine.
• Add chopped vegetables.
• Add ham or bacon.
• Cook over medium heat until vegetables are slightly tender (about 10 minutes).
• Stir in flour.
• Stir in cornstarch.
• Cook, stirring constantly (about 3 minutes).
• Add broth and continue stirring until slightly thickened.
• Add milk.
• Add spices.
• Add cheese gradually, stirring until cheese is melted.
• To avoid curdling, do not allow soup to boil after cheese is added.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Serve piping hot in the hollowed out Sourdough bread bowls.

COPYCAT PANERA® BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion in hot butter until translucent, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Whisk 1/4 cup melted butter and flour together in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Continue to whisk and cook , adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk if necessary to keep the flour from burning, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Gradually pour milk into flour mixture while whisking constantly. Stir chicken stock into milk mixture. Bring to a simmer; cook until mixture is thickened, about 20 minutes. Add broccoli, carrots, sauteed onion, and celery; simmer until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
• Stir Cheddar cheese into vegetable mixture until cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

CHEESY BROCCOLI SOUP IN A BREAD BOWL

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat butter over medium heat; saute onion and garlic until tender, 6-8 minutes. Stir in broccoli, carrot, stock, cream and seasonings; bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender, 10-12 minutes., Mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into soup. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove bay leaves. Stir in cheese until melted., If using bread bowls, cut a slice off the top of each bread loaf; hollow out bottoms, leaving 1/4-in.-thick shells (save removed bread for another use). Fill with soup just before serving. , If desired, serve soup with toppings.