Panera Breads Broccoli-Cheddar soup

By Sparrow2222

Ingredients

• 6 tbs butter
• 1 small onion-chopped
• 1 garlic clove-chopped
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups half and half
• 3 cups or more chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• salt/pepper
• 4 cups broccoli florets about 1 lg head
• 1 large carrot chopped
• 1 tbs white wine
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• 21/2 cups-about 8oz. grated sharp white and yellow cheddar cheese-grated
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• optional;
• 4 7-inche sourdough bread boules-hollowed out to form a bowl

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

Melt the butter in a large duch oven over med heat. add the onion and garlic and cook just until tender,whisk in flour and cook until light golden, 2-3 mins. Gradually add the half anf half, stir until smooth, add the wine, hot sauce,bay leaves, nutmeg, season with salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered about 20min. until somewhat thickened.
Add the broccoli to the pot and simmer an additional 20-30min until brocolli is tender. Discard bay leaves. Pulse the soup in the food proccesor until smoothish-meaning have some broccoli pieces intact. You can also take a few small florets out before pulsing and add back to soup after your done. add the cheese to the soup on low heat until melted, addup to 3/4 cup more broth th thin if needed. Ladle ito bread bowls if using and garnish with alittle extra cheese.