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Pick Two Tuesday

Posted on December 18, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Do I have any Panera fans out there?

Since the closest location has always been in Nashville, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve set foot inside…

Panera Bread Clarksville

That is, until they FINALLY came to Clarksville a few weeks ago!

When I was asked to sample and review one of the soups from the Panera Bread menu as part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I’ll admit it,

I was “SOUPER” excited! 😉

I’ll also admit to deliberating over my computer for at least an hour last night while trying to narrow down my selection to just one bowl…

In the end, I decided to go with the You Pick Two combo and ordered the signature
All-Natural Sonoma Chicken Stew alongside a Classic Side Salad:

Panera Bread's Sonoma Chicken Stew

From Panera’s website: Creamy chicken stew with carrots, peas, leeks & red potatoes with sweet cream and thyme, topped with Dry Jack Cheese biscuit.

Seriously, they had me at “creamy chicken stew”!

Panera Bread's Sonoma Chicken Stew

But CAN we talk about that Dry Jack Cheese biscuit?

Absolute HEAVEN!

Panera Bread's Sonoma Chicken Stew

And downright dumpling-like once crumbled and mixed into the bowl.

The stew itself did NOT disappoint! It was rich and creamy and FILLED with flavorful chicken, big hunks of potato, and the sweetest carrots I’ve ever tasted…they practically melted in my mouth!

I learned through one of Panera’s Soup Stories videos that the carrots they use for the stew are called “Thumbelina” carrots which are imported from Belgium and only grow to about the size of your thumb!

Yep, I’m pretty sure in a matter of weeks, the staff will know me by name…or at least as “that weird girl who takes pictures of her food” as I have EVERY intention of going back until I’ve tried each and every soup…and then, you know, while I’m there, I might as well have a cookie…all in the name of research of course! 😉

Especially since I’m now ARMED with this:

Screen shot 2012-12-18 at 6.25.56 AM

Free food ALWAYS taste better, don’tcha know! 😉

As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program, I was selected to review one of soups from Panera’s menu in exchange for a stipend. Although I was compensated for this review, all expressed opinions above are of my own.

Have you ever been to Panera Bread? If so, what is your favorite thing to order?

What is your all-time favorite soup?

Posted in Restaurant Review | Tagged bread, Foodbuzz Tastemakers, Panera, salad, soup | 29 Comments

It’s the Most MARVELOUS Time of the Year!

Posted on December 17, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Hi-dee-ho chickadees!

How was your weekend? Was it marvelous?

After weeks of feeling ho-hum about the upcoming holidays, I finally found my Christmas spirit this weekend…

Chocolate Chip Cookie Protein Pancakes 4

I’m pretty sure I have some pan-COOKIES to thank for that!

See, I don’t know about you guys, but the weather here in Tennessee has been very mild lately (just yesterday, it was in the mid 60’s) so obviously, it’s been a bit difficult to sing along to “White Christmas” and “Let it Snow”…

Not that I in any way shape or form care to see snow any time soon! Yuck!

But I have to admit, something in that Christmassy-colored plate beneath my stack of fluffy, chocolatey pan-COOKIES set something off because the next thing I know…

Christmas Tree 2012

I’ve trimmed the tree…

Christmas 2012

Decked the ~~halls~~ kitchen and living room…

Ugly Christmas 2012

And then headed out with the man-friend to my first ugly Christmas sweater (or long-sleeve tee from the children’s department because all the ugly sweaters are a size large or higher) party!

And just FYI, the man-friend won first place in the contest for ugliest sweater! Thank you old lady section at Belk for earning us a dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse! 😀

I may not have won any contests, but I think I did a fine job rocking some accessories…

Christmas 2012

Eat your heart out Rudolph!

And speaking of eating…

Party Food

There was more food than we knew what to do with!

We brought along a veggie platter with hummus and an obscene amount of cantaloupe wrapped in proscuitto and enjoyed some of that along with an assortment of other goodies including a homemade bean dip that was absolutely amazing!

The rest of the evening was spent laughing over a hilariously awful rendition of Copacabana on kareoke, warming our tushies outside by the fire, and rooting on the next beer pong champion! 😉

But the most MARVELOUS part was coming home at the end of the night to a Christmas tree full of shine and sparkle!

Christmas tree 2012

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

…even if it IS only on the inside!

How’s the weather where you are?

Does it FEEL like Christmas is just a week away?

Posted in MIMM | Tagged Christmas, friends, fun, party | 25 Comments

A Christmas Cookie Classic

Posted on December 16, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Good morning, my little cookie crumbs!

Wow, I’m seriously impressed with how many of you would consider whipping up an E.L.F Frittata for your next breakfast! If you want some more ideas (and honorary membership to the Weird Foodie Club), be sure to check out the other #strangebutgood link ups over on Laura’s blog!

Now let’s talk cookies!

I don’t know about you guys, but there is just something about the combo of warm chocolate chip cookies you can get at in a Christmas cookie gift box and a cold glass of milk around the holidays…

Chocolate Chip Cookie Protein Pancakes 2

Especially if they are soft,

Chocolate Chip Cookie Protein Pancakes 5

chewy,

Chocolate Chip Cookie Protein Pancakes 6

and COVERED in syrup!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Protein Pancakes 7

Yep, because you know how I roll…I eat my cookies for BREAKFAST!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Protein Pancakes

by Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Keywords: fry breakfast high protein protein powder coconut flour chocolate chips Christmas Pancake Sunday winter

Ingredients (Serves 1)

1/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 Tablespoon coconut flour
1 scoop (30 grams) vanilla protein powder (or another tablespoon of coconut flour)
1/2 teaspoon sodium-free baking powder
1 egg white
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon butter extract (optional)
2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips, divided.

Instructions

1. Heat a non-stick skillet to medium heat and coat with cooking spray.
2. Combine flours, protein powder, and baking powder in a medium-sized bowl.
3. Whisk egg white until light and frothy.
4. Combine egg white, milk, and extract(s).
5. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until flour is incorporated.
6. Fold in 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips into batter.
7. Spoon batter onto skillet, forming 3 medium-sized pancakes.
8. Cook 5-6 minutes per side or until golden brown with crisp edges.
9. Plate and top with the other tablespoon of chocolate chips (or more…what the heck, it’s the holidays!) and drizzle with maple syrup.

Nutrition facts* with 2 tablespoons chips but without syrup:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Protein Pancakes Nutrition Facts

*If you want to lower the calories a bit, try using a lower calorie flour like oat flour (oats ground into flour using a food processor)…that way you don’t have to skimp on the chocolate! 😉

Chocolate Chip COOKIE Protein Pancakes!