‘Panera’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Recipe: Copycat Panera Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

November 7, 2017 · Narrative

Soup is the perfect comfort food, warming you from the inside out. Let’s dig into this delicious copycat of Panera’s Chicken and Wild Rice Soup.

Over the years, my oldest, Nick, has become my “soup kid.” With the exception of Split Pea Soup, and anything with seafood in it, he will try most any other kind, and loves them. He is particularly fond of any soup that Panera makes, and I don’t blame him.

Today our temps dropped below 40 degrees, and we were pelted with tiny bits of hail and freezing rain. In fact, as I type this, it’s still raining.

Which means two things.

One, our Fall season might actually be here (despite that the fact that it was seventy degrees over the weekend).

And two, SOUP WEATHER.

Soup is that perfect thing to take the chill off your bones and warm you up from the inside out. Add some light sandwiches or grilled cheese dippers, and you have the perfect easy yet filling meal.

Or we would if my youngest, Madeline, liked soup.

Completely opposite of her brother, she pretty much unilaterally hates all soup, whether she’s tried it or not.

What can I say? She’s a work in progress.

I’ve been working my way through finding a way to enjoy Panera’s soups at home. I already have a version of the Broccoli Cheddar one that I like, and the Black Bean one (to be shared soon). Today it’s about their Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. I’ve taken a few different versions I’ve found online and put together our favorite parts (more garlic, more chicken, no celery …) for this big pot of deliciousness. Nick and I can get a few dinners out of it, or a week’s worth of lunches. It’s hearty and filling, and weeknight-friendly, especially if you use rotisserie chicken.

Hungry for more soup recipes?
This Rustic Tomato Soup recipe from Oprah is delish, and Weight Watchers friendly (and I’m still in love with that picture).
Three Ingredient Cauliflower Soup hits the stove every few months – so easy to make, and so creamy, you’d swear there was dairy in it.
An awful photo, but a Split Pea Soup recipe I swear by.
This Beer and Cheddar Soup is an old favorite, and it made an appearance at a recent Soup Exchange that I hosted.

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Recipe: Panera Macaroni and Cheese

September 8, 2017 · Narrative

Whether you’re obsessed with Panera’s macaroni and cheese, or you’re just looking for a recipe that embodies comfort food, this dish is the perfect thing to serve up this month.

Truth be told, I’m not even sure why I make macaroni and cheese anymore. My kids used to LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Now … it just doesn’t excite them as much anymore.

I would say their taste buds are growing up, but I still like mac and cheese, so that’s clearly not it.

No matter, I still make it occasionally when I’m looking for an easy yet filling meal, and bonus points for a version that is quick to make and only dirties one pan.

Because, really, who wants to toil away in the kitchen any longer than necessary?

If you’ve been to Panera in the last few years, you might be familiar with their mac and cheese. Super creamy, very definitely cheesy, it’s the kind that seriously sticks to your ribs. So when I saw a recipe for a knock-off version, I had to try it.

Plus I had all the ingredients on hand, so win/win.

The recipe is as easy as it looks, with the most complicated part of the directions being to continue to stir the pasta as it cooks in the milk.

I can handle that.

For the cheese, since I do a lot of work with Cabot, I, of course, used freshly grated Cabot cheddar. The seriously sharp cheddar to be exact. I prefer to grate it as needed, instead of buying the pre-shredded bags. It just tastes so much better.

Does this taste like Panera’s version?

It’s pretty darn close, and I would definitely make it again. I served it alongside roasted broccoli (my kids’ favorite vegetable/preparation), and it would be great with the broccoli mixed in, or with pieces of grilled chicken mixed in, for a little variation.

However you serve it, it’s a less-than-thirty-minute meal that will warm you from the inside out.

Hungry for more mac and cheese recipes?
For a more upscale, fancier version, this recipe is still one of my favorites, as is this five cheese version. So decadent and worth every calorie.

Hope you have a great weekend!
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Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup {Panera Copycat}

January 12, 2015 · Narrative

Warm, cheesy velvety soup studded with bits of fresh broccoli and carrots. This tummy-warming soup is the perfect thing to take the chill off the Winter weather.

Truth be told, when I go into Panera, my eyes often turn straight to their salad section, and I pay attention to little else. And even then, I stick to two salads, their Thai Chicken Salad and the BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad. But their soups are equally awesome. Nick is partial to their various chicken soups, and although I think I have gone through each one of the different soups that they make, I think their Broccoli Cheddar is one of my top favorites.

And so here we are.

Although Madeline doesn’t really LOVE soup, she has warmed up to Tomato Soup lately, so we have gotten into a weekly routine of having soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner.

Comfort food at its best.

And one of these days, we’re ALL going to like the SAME soup to make dinner time a little easier.

The newest soup in my rotation is this knock-off version of Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar soup.

Very easy to make, I love that it’s a lightened version, so you only have to feel a little bit guilty.

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Weekend Photos in Review {Instagram Version}

July 15, 2012 · Narrative

I fell in love with Instagram sometime last year. I loved it from afar though, as it wasn’t on my phone (BlackBerry). Those awesome Instagram filters, giving photos a unique feel to them. Love. A few weeks ago, my brother-in-law gave me his old iPhone, so I now have an Instagram account of my very own (you can follow me here). Smitten for sure. This weekend, something new … this Weekend Photos in Review is an all-Instagram version.

{sending fun mail}…

On Budgets and Menu Planning {and Recipe: Parmesan Chicken and Biscuit Pie}

March 22, 2012 · Narrative

So it seems that just when you think your mother can’t be right about one more thing, she really can be. I am terrible when it comes to finances. Always have been. My sister was the super-saver. I was the teen begging for a ride to the mall to spend a crisp $5 bill burning a hole in my pocket. Although that temptation has long since subsided, I’m always a work in progress.

My mom suggested keeping track of where I spent every dollar (from a Starbucks run to a newspaper to paying an insurance bill) for a month. I really just did it to reinforce the fact that I knew where I was spending money.

And, of course, I didn’t. Not completely anyway. For the entire month of January, I kept careful track in a little notebook I carried everywhere with me. At the end of the month, I gave her my notes and she plugged the numbers into different categories (food, entertainment, medical, clothes, utilities, etc.). In a glance I could instantly see how much I was spending and on what. Some totals (food, for example) downright shocked me. Others I had a firm handle on (more like the fixed expenses).

I was spending way too much on food. Even rationalizing that that amount included everything from cleaning supplies and health and beauty aids, right down to cat and dog food … it was still way too much. Even given the fact that I cook so much (and a lot of it is for freelance work). Still.way.too.much.

The other thing that glared at me as I looked at the numbers? If you look down the food column (which also indicates what stores the money was spent at), it showed $15 here, $3 there and oh $2.67. There were maybe 20-25 entries for the month. Running into the store every time I need something causes extra time, gas, and energy. Seeing how many stops I (unknowingly) make during the course of a week (or the month) was another eye-opener for me. Especially at what gas costs these days. And as for extra time? I don’t have much of it, and if I have extra time, I’d much rather spend it doing something fun with the kids, family, or friends. Not making three trips to the grocery store in one week, you know?

So for February, I started to make little changes. I planned menus. For every week. I shopped twice during the month at Shop Rite (online, see more on that below) and got nearly everything I needed. But more importantly perhaps, I allowed for flexibility. I might not have the exact dish on the exact night I schedule it for, but I had a plan and the ingredients, so I was ready. I also built in nights for leftovers, foraging in the freezer, and using already-purchased pantry items. To further grab hold of what was going on in my kitchen.

And then I went one step further.

I ordered all our grocery needs online. There are a bunch of grocery stores that do it (including Stop ‘n Shop, Shop Rite, and Fresh Direct). As an aside, I’m totally jealous of those of you who have Fresh Direct. It’s gotten closer to us as a delivery zone (my mom loves it and uses it, as does my sister), but so far, they don’t deliver to our town. Each place has pros and cons. I use Shop Rite because I think their sales are better. Every other Friday, I placed my order to cover what I would need for the next two weeks. Then I supplemented it by one weekly stop at the store to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables because a) that stuff isn’t going to last two weeks and b) some of it I want to see and feel. And then one trip every two weeks to Costco. Because some of their items are cheaper.

So instead of making 3-4 trips a week, I was now down to six trips a month. All told.

I honestly couldn’t wait for the end of the month (February) to see the effect this planning had on our food totals. Ready?…

Weekend Photos in Review

February 26, 2012 · Narrative

Small iced coffee on sale at Dunkin Donuts for 0.99 for a limited time. Today is Day 6 of no Diet Coke, and iced coffee is my drug of choice.

A year or two ago, my Mom got me into the Green Tea at Panera. Slightly sweet, it’s another good, pretty infrequent Diet Coke replacement….

Recipe: Greek Couscous Salad

September 19, 2011 · Clean Eating, Narrative

I always did like a good couscous salad.

Unfortunately no one I know within sharing distance does.

Which, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t so terrible.

It just means I have to really, really, really be in the mood for couscous since it will take me several days of having it to get through eating the whole recipe.

When I put good food in my body, and by good food I mean food that’s good for you, I’m quickly reminded of how important that is. While Nathan’s cheese fries might be arguably good (and an infrequent weakness), it doesn’t quite fuel me in the same way that good-for-you food does. It’s why clean eating works.

Feta cheese.

Kalamata olives.

Jersey tomatoes (and making the last of farmer’s market goodness).

Chick peas. I could totally eat a can of chick peas. By themselves. By myself.

With full-on flavor coming from so many (simple) ingredients, it’s no wonder this shapes up to be a tasty dish. This recipe is stupid simple. Like so simple that if you like couscous, you should make this and eat it. And I hope you like couscous. Perfect for a side dish to your dinner or a light lunch for the week, it takes just minutes (like under 10) to make.

Earlier in the year, I joined the MyPanera club. The brainchild of the Panera restaurant chain, it’s free to join and they scan your key tag every time you visit and you get rewarded with free menu items. And apparently free recipes too, because that’s where this Greek Couscous Salad recipe originated from. Courtesy of the folks at Panera and my e-mail inbox.

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Recipe: Caramel Pecan Bars

April 12, 2011 · Narrative

In the interest of keeping everyone happy, another non-healthy recipe for you tonight. These Caramel Pecan Bars are in a Taste of Home Brownies magazine that is currently on newsstands; I was looking for something quick and simple that would cut neatly and this certainly filled the bill. The pecan flavor really comes through, for sure, but these remind me a bit of Blondies, which I’m not as big a fan of. The recipe notes “that the bars really capture the flavor of pecan pie,” and there is a definite hint of that, without the gooeyness of it. If you’re looking for something new to get out of a chocolate rut, this might be just the thing, but with its two sticks of butter, two plus cups of sugar and two cups of pecans, a massive work-out will be needed right after to absolve you of any guilt you may have. Aside from one tiny nibble to determine edibleness, the work-out I just came back from is still firmly intact.

A little photo catch-up from the past week, and then I’m off to find my remote and a pillow because the two and a half hours of sleep I got last night just aren’t cutting it anymore. Today is only Tuesday and this week has seriously kicked my hide. I came back completely replenished after a few days away , only to be depleted very soon after. Another friend, who is having an equally challenging week, texted me that God only gives us as much as we can handle. While I definitely believe that, I just wish he didn’t think I can handle quite as much as he gives me. At some point, it has to be someone else’s turn, because I need a break. Insert big deep sigh here.

Project 365
April 4, 2011, Photo #93
Whenever I feel an inkling of any sick or sniffle or ache coming on, I go get this Ten Ingredient Soup from a local restaurant. I don’t exactly know what all the ten ingredients are, and I’m pretty sure that it’s better that way, but it never fails to work a little magic for me.

Project 365
April 5, 2011, Photo #94
Beth and I got the new shellac manicures last Saturday. This is what it looked like on Day 4, completely chip-free. The manicure is a few bucks more but is advertised to last up to 14 days.

Project 365
April 6, 2011, Photo #95 (and a bonus)
Last week, we took two of the kids’ friends to Zumba class. Since they’re both joining us again tomorrow (with a third for good measure), I think it’s safe to say they were hooked.

Project 365
April 7, 2011, Photo #96
I can’t remember what this sandwich is called, but it’s from Panera. I want to say it was called a Power Sandwich, but don’t hold me to it. Whole grain bread, egg whites, ham, Cheddar, amazingly good.

Project 365
April 8, 2011, Photo #97 and a bonus

Breakfast on Friday. Guilt-free and delish.

Project 365
April 9, 2011, Photo #98
So excuse the fact that I’m headless, go get yourself this shirt. Victoria’s Secret, of course, but the softest and most comfortable thing ever.

Project 365
April 10, 2011, Photo #99
Sunrise. Gorge.

Project 365
April 11, 2011, Photo #100 (yay!)
Inside Out Onion Roll Sandwich. Recipe coming to a computer screen near you.

Project 365
April 12, 2011, Photo #101 (caught up!!)
This book is one of our new favorites. Seems a little strange to think of Weird Al Yankovic as a children’s book author, but it’s a great book. Lots of big words and thoughts to stimulate Nick’s mind, and fabulous illustrations for Madeline (who, surprisingly, totally got the concept of the book; doesn’t hurt that they’re studying professions in school this week, so that worked out to my advantage). The rhyming, although the sentence structure is a bit longer, reminded us a bit of Dr. Seuss, whom we love dearly, so if you have littles that you read to at night, grab this one. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. If you happen to buy it (or anything else at Amazon for that matter) through this link, this single mom gets a teensy percentage of your purchase and is very much appreciative (and any other time you happen to be going shopping at Amazon, if you click on the (rotating) cookbook picture/ad in my sidebar to the right, the O’Malley clan gets a little commission, and we thank you. Public service announcement over). …

Weekend Photos in Review and Spring Break

April 3, 2011 · Narrative

Project 365
April 1, 2011, Photo #90
Nick playing with my new wireless remote. Best thirteen bucks I’ve spent in a long time.

Some of us are apparently too klutzy to leave a pedicure without saran-wrapped feet. My partner in crime left without saran-wrapped feet. Apparently I need protection from myself.

Low-fat black cherry smoothie from Panera. It just might be my new obsession.

*Photo by Nick

This is a new game called “let’s see if we can suffocate the cat before he tries to escape.” No cats were harmed during this game.

I heart this. Aptly titled Double Trouble.

Pistachios. Honey. And a bunch of I don’t know what, but so very good….

Panera’s BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad

October 13, 2009 · Narrative

My mom says I’m in a rut with this salad, but I swear I’ve only had it, like, four or five times. ‘Course it was the last four or five times I went to Panera, all in a row, so I could see where she might think that. But I can’t help it. Salad, although I like it just fine, is not something that I normally crave. But then I met this salad. I don’t know what even compelled me to order it the first time. Oh wait, yes I do. It was the giant placard they had in the front of the restaurant, advertising it. I’m a sucker for a good food picture. Or a good ad. Or both. I ordered it right away, and it’s been love at first bite ever since. I stop just short of licking the bowl clean.

So let me break it down:

romaine lettuce
roasted pieces of corn
black beans
tender pieces of chicken
crispy bits of blue and red tortilla strips
and the dressing

Now the first couple of times I had the salad, I had it in the restaurant, so I didn’t pay much attention to dissecting the dressing. But then when I ordered the salad to-go once, and I paid closer attention. The dressing is a Thousand Island/French (what is the difference between the two anyway?) and BBQ sauce. When you get it to go, it’s in two separate cups, so it was easier to tell what was going on. Well, scratch that. I happened to look the salad up on the website, and it says it’s a Ranch with the BBQ sauce. Hmm, go figure. I think further research might be in order, especially since it tastes like Thousand Island/French, and I have yet to see a pinky-colored Ranch.

And, of course, all of this means that should I ever feel compelled to make this salad at home, it’s totally doable. I would never have thought of putting BBQ sauce on a salad, but with the dressing, it works. I promise. I’m just glad my new favorite salad didn’t end up on this list. I have to say, I held my breath as I was reading through the entries. If this, or Wendy’s Mandarin Chicken Salad ended up there, I don’t know what I’d do.

If you’re near Panera, or even just want to try this one at home, do. I promise you won’t be sorry. Excuse me while I wipe the drool from the keyboard.