Panera Bread Co. . . EAT YOUR HEART OUT!

Best Broccoli Soup in a Bread Bowl

I can't believe I did it! I'm not usually one for bread bowls, but since we've moved close to Panera Bread Co. Dave has become strangely addicted to this combo. I thought I'd surprise him after a long hard day at work, and let me tell you he was blown out of the water! The high I got from it was worth being in the kitchen for half the day!

Homemade soup and bread bowl cost: .50 cents

Panera Bread Co.: $4.95

I can't wait to show this to Dave at our next love/hate budget talk!

I used the bread bowl recipe from this yummy blog site: http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/2008/11/my-favorite-bread-bowls.html

The soup was really good, it's from Taste of Home. There is a broc. soup recipe from My Kitchen Cafe that looked excellent, but I didn't have the right cheeses. I'll try it soon and let you know. It's so cold out here that soup is the only thing that will keep you alive! :o)

Best Broccoli Soup

2 cups water

4 cups fresh broccoli chopped

1 cup celery chopped

1 cup carrots chopped

1/2 cup onion chopped

6 Tb butter

6 Tb flour

3 cups chicken broth

2 cups milk

1 Tb fresh chopped parsley

1 tsp onion salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder - I used 1 clove garlic minced

1/2 tsp salt

In a soup pot bring water to a boil, add broc, carrots and celery. Boil for 2-3 min until crisp tender. Drain, set veggies aside.

In the same pot melt butter add onions and cook until soft. Stir in flour to form a smooth paste. Gradully whisk in broth and milk until smooth. Bring to a boil and stir for 1 minute until thickened.

Stir in reserved veggies and remaining ingred. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 min.

Makes 6 servings. I would double this next time if using bread bowls.

ALIVE AND COOKIN'!

( Still learning how to crop on this! Say hello to Garrett's finger top left!)

On our road trip across America (that sounds so cool) we stopped at Zana's house in St Louie for some marathon Christmas cooking - then hit the road on Christmas day headed for VA! The only bummer was all my favorite holiday recipes were in the moving van. I had to google similar recipes but they weren't the same. Yet another reminder why I do this blog...once my tried and true babies are posted, I'll never be without them again! OH WHAT A FEELING!

~FAVORITE CHRISTMAS RECIPES~

FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CHEESE BALL

Recipe from Carol Smith

1 jar Roka Blue Cheese (Kraft makes this, it's usually next to the velveeta)

2 jars Old English Cheese " "

2 8 oz blocks of cream cheese (use Kraft, I think it makes a difference)

2 Tb grated onion

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (who named this, I mean really!)

1 cup ground pecans- DIVIDED

1 /2 cup chopped parsley -DIVIDED - I sometimes use dried just use less if you do.

Combine all ingredients except 1/2 portions of nuts and parsley. Spread into desired small serving bowl and sprinkle with remaining nuts and parsley - or you can divide mixture and make a ball and roll the nuts and parsley onto it. Refrigerate -

I love this with wheat thins or use your favorite crackers. Enjoy!

CHRISTMAS WASSAIL

In a large pot boil:

5 quarts water

2 tsp whole cloves

2 cinnamon sticks

Remove whole spices and add:

6 oz frozen lemonade

6 oz. frozen apple juice or apple cider

12 oz frozen orange juice

3 cups sugar

Let it simmer to combine flavors. When it gets low add apple cider and reheat. Should last through the holidays. Store in refrigerator.

There are a lot of different names for this one so we just call it...

Garrett's Whipped Cream Dream Salad!

This is one of those throw in whatever you like kind of recipe, so here goes:

About 4 crisp apples - Fuji or gala

1 or 2 pomegranates

About 2 cups miniature marshmallows (the more the merrier!)

a couple handfuls of crasins or raisins

1 sliced banana - (I never use)

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (not for Garrett!)

1 pint heavy whipping cream - whipped and sweetened to your liking

Mix all together and I'll see you on cloud 9!

I need some major tech/blogging genius to help me with formatting! I'm going crazy trying to figure this out!!! Thanks!