Take Me Home Panera Bread
If you are a fan on my facebook page, here, you will know that I have been sick for 9 days. Yes, nine and counting. I really dislike seeing doctors for many reasons however I was comforted by the thought of indulging in Panera Bread’s soup afterwards.
I could not wait to get my hands on a nice soothing, warm and inviting bowl of soup. I already planned out which mouth-watering soup I was going for, well that was, until I got into line. My heart never derails from the delicious Broccoli Cheddar ever, but I was having a moment of betrayal. Their Low-Fat Vegetarian Garden Vegetable with Pesto had me too. They were both pulling at my shirt. What’s awesome about the LF Vegetarian Garden Vegetable with Pesto soup is its seasonal. I love my dishes to be in season. It’s what makes them so darn delicious! Using in-season produce is critical in serving up a sumptuous bowl of soup! On the other hand, their Broccoli Cheddar soup is so creamy and thick. You can see the big chunks of broccoli pieces in the soup. I love a hearty soup and this one is by far my favorite so I went with it! Which is your favorite? Click here for list!
I started to not feel well again in line, so I asked for the “pick two” option. Again, another brilliant idea and trust me, Panera is filled with them! I had my eyes set on my favorite sandwich, the Mediterranean Veggie. Filled with big chunks of peppers, feta cheese, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and to top it off the PERFECT Jalapeno hummus (wowza) on top of Tomato Basil Bread. I LOVE PANERA. To be perfectly honest with you, I haven’t had anything on the menu that I haven’t liked. It’s just that darn good.
Anyways, back to me not being able to breathe and coughing in line…(sorry about that by the way), I had to get my dinner to go. Go ahead, mark that as another point for Panera Bread! I love that I can call in my order and pick it up quickly. This time, I didn’t call it in because the doctors is right next door, however having the option to take a big hearty bowl of soup home and crawl into bed sounded fabulous to me.
I wanted to take a picture, I really did. But my starving non-medicated self couldn’t hold out on eating. I indulged in the sandwich on the ride home. Each bite left me wanting more, more and more. The bread was ridiculously soft and good. Have I mentioned to you about their bread yet? All homemade baby! They have a variety and I do mean a variety of different kinds. Their bakers work all throughout the night to be able to provide us with the remarkable taste of their bread and it shows each and every time I get a slice to eat! mmm mmm mmm
I gathered my soup and “dipping” bread and relaxed and enjoyed every minute of soup there was. And then I realized, it was gone 
One more thing I must tell you about my favorite place, Panera Bread. They have this amazing place on their site called “Explored Soup” (click here) and there’s so much to learn. From how their chef creates the soups, to their daily soups to cooking techniques and more. BE SURE to check it out and then run to your nearest Panera Bread. Believe me, you’ll thank me.
As part of the DailyBuzz Food Tastemaker program, I received a gift card and stipend to try Panera Bread soups. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
xoxo,
Mama Poole
Desserts In Jars: Campfire Bars Mix #DessertsInJars
One of my favorite Christmas presents was from my step-mother when I was a teenager. She always gave me “goofy” gifts or gifts that a teenager may not expect, and that year was no different from the rest. I received a jar with a label that read, “Cookies in a Jar.” I was baffled at how this made cookies, especially since at the time, I didn’t cook or bake! I just turned 18 and had my own apartment with my boyfriend then, now husband. The jar was beautifully decorated and had two little scoops on the front. I could not wait to get home and figure out what I needed to do! From that moment on, I fell in love with any kind of baking in a jar. There’s something almost magical about it.
When I received Desserts in Jars: 50 Sweet Treats That Shine (The Harvard Common Press – June 2012), I spent no time running to the kitchen to bake! There are so many wonderful recipes inside that are creative and mouth-watering. Sink your mind around Neapolitan Cakes, Pumpkin Cheesecakes, Apple Pancakes Puffs and Rosemary-Peach Cobblers in a jar! I can’t wait to make them!
Not only does this book have easy to-follow instructions but beautiful photos of each recipe! I love knowing how beautiful my dessert will be, don’t you? In addition, the talented Olmanson is a blogger herself and takes her own photos! A very talented woman to say the least! You can find her blog at Food For My Family and enjoy more recipes and tips!
To make it even sweeter, Shaina Olmanson gave me one extra cookbook to give away to a lucky Mama’s Blissful Bites reader! (I know, I couldn’t wait to say it!) Sit down, sit down, let me tell you the details:
Giveaway details: Mama’s Blissful Bites is giving away one cookbook of Dessert In Jars to one sweet reader. To qualify, please leave a comment of what your favorite dessert to share with your friends and family is! A winner will be choosen by Random. org and contacted thru email. Open to US Residents only. Contest closes December 23, 2012 at 11:59 PM CST.
Additional Entries:
Important: Leave a comment on here after doing each additional entry so I know you completed the action!
Now I couldn’t leave you hanging with out a sneak peak treat right? I was completely head-over-heals excited to try Campfire Bars Mix – it is FAB-U-LOUS!!!! We go camping a lot, uhm….in our backyard and house…the kids like it, so these bars are a perfect addition to our family tradition!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup graham cracker pieces, each about 1-inch square
- 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows, homemade (recipe page 140) or store-bought
- 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup granola
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
In a 1-quart jar, layer the graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate chips, granola, brown sugar and almonds. Seal with the lid, decorate the jar if you like, and attach a label with these instructions for the recipient:
TO MAKE CAMPFIRE BARS
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Pour all the contents of the jar into a large bowl. Stir in the melted butter until all the pieces are coated. Press into a 9-inch square baking pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. All to cool. Cut into bars and serve
Believe me, these bars are delicious. It tastes just like a smores should be, only ten times better. These jars are perfect for holiday gifts too and bloggers (wink, wink) love to receive them…just kidding, kind of. Alright, your family and friends would LOVE them too…. 
Be sure and stop by to see our bloggers this week and be sure to enter their give-away as well! That’s right, ten more chances to win a copy!
Monday
- Karen from In the Kitchen with KP - Pull Apart Cinnamon Bread
- Nicole from Daily Dish Recipes – Banana Buttermilk Trifles
Tuesday
- Pam from The Meltaways – Spiced Hot Chocolate Mix with Cinnamon Marshmallows
- Heather from girlichef - Orange White-Chocolate Cheesecakes w/ Cranberry Sauce
Wednesday
- Sunithi from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz – Cherry Almond Squares
- Amber from Mama’s Blissful Bites – Campfire Bars Mix
Thursday
- Renee from Magnolia Days – Monster Cookies Mix
- Jamie from Mama.Mommy.Mom - Pumpkin Cheesecakes with a Gingersnap Crust
Friday
- Jen from Juanita’s Cocina - Basil Strawberry Lemonade Granita
- Lane from Supper For a Steal - Strawberry Shortcakes
And if you can’t help yourself and are head over heals in love with this cookbook as much as I am, you can also purchase it by clicking here.