Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I absolutely love soup and it is perfect for cold winter nights! I found this great recipe and it is absolutely delicious! I love Panera's Broccoli Cheddar Soup and this version is a copycat and clean version of it! 

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp melted butter
• 1/2 medium chopped onion
• 1/4 cup meleted butter
• 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1 cup half and half cream
• 1 cup whole or 2% milk
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 lb fresh broccoli (2 heads of broc crowns)
• 1 cup of carrots, shredded
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 8 oz freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions: 

1. In a large pot whisk together the melted butter and flour over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes
2. Slowly whisk in the half and half and chicken stock. let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile suate the onion in 1 tbsp melted butter and set aside. 
4. Add the broccoli, carrots, and sauted onions. Let them simmer on low for about 25 minutes or until the broccoli and carrots are tender.
5. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper and the freshly grated cheddar cheese. Let the cheese melt and then serve.

**if you want a smoother or creamier soup, puree it in a blender

Have a Happy and Healthy Day

Nicole

Apple-Cinnamon Breakfast Risotto

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of butter (1/2 stick)
• 4 medium Granny Smith Apples. peeled, cored, and diced
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cup Aborio rice
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 4 cups unfiltered apple juice at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla 

Sauteed apples, cinnamon, salt and butter

Directions:

1. Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. add apples, cinnamon and salt. cook and stir for 3 to 5 minutes or until apples begin to release juices
2. Transfer the apple mixture into crock pot
3. Add rice and stir to coat
4. Sprinkle light brown sugar evenly over top
5. Add apple juice and vanilla.
6. cover and cook on high for 2 hrs (mine took a little closer to 2.5 hrs to cook)

Serve and enjoy! I made a huge amount of it and I am having it as a morning snack this week! its great to grab and go. you just pop it in the microwave and warm it up and it is absolutely delicious heated up! Simple and Easy!

Hope you all enjoy this and have an amazing day!

Nicole Keating

Emerald Beachbody Coach

nkeating24@comcast.net