Panera, stop calling me!!! --Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I remember the first time I ever went to Panera when I was in undergrad. My friends and I loved going there to study and eat; the perfect combination. That was the first time I ever had broccoli cheddar soup and wow, who knew broccoli and cheese was a duo. You probably did, but I had no clue. I’ve had many, many bowls ever since.

As time went by, I started to come to the understanding that when you eat out, what is put into your food is 100% out of your control. The source and quality of ingredients is unknown. That no longer sits well with me, I need to know what and where my food comes from. There’s an array of not only unnecessary, but very unhealthy ingredients that go into your food that contribute to sickness and disease. I’ve dived so deep over the years into many research studies and it’s alarming that they put straight up toxic junk and get away with it. Well as the Word says, “It is better to trust in the Most High than to put confidence in man.” Don’t be so quick to assume that people have your best interest at heart. Your health is your responsibility, guard it with all your might!

Here’s a quick look at the ingredients in Panera Bread’s broccoli cheddar soup:

Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Water, Milk, Broccoli, Pasteurized Process Cheddar Cheese [Cheddar Cheese {Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Animal And Microbial Enzymes}, Whey, Whey Protein Concentrate, Nonfat Milk, Sodium Citrate, Milkfat, Salt, Lactic Acid, Oleoresin Paprika {Color}, Annatto Extract {Color}], Cream, Carrots, Corn Starch, Onions, Chicken Base [Chicken Meat Including Chicken Juices, Salt, Chicken Fat, Yeast Extract, Sugar, Natural Flavoring, Potato Flour, Carrot Powder, Turmeric), Seasoning (Wheat Flour, Salt, White Pepper, Canola Oil], Salted Butter [Cream, Salt], Dijon Mustard [Water, Mustard Seed, Vinegar, Salt, White Wine, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid, Fruit Pectin, Red Pepper], Pepper Sauce [Distilled Vinegar, Red Pepper, Salt])

At first glance it doesn’t sound that bad right? But I do have a couple questions.

  1. What animal source is the enzymes derived from in the cheese? If you follow biblical food laws this is important because we are commanded to not eat certain animals.

  2. What all does the natural flavoring contain? This could be a mix of chemicals/artificial flavorings that can cause harmful effects such as DNA mutations, infertility, and cancer to name a few.

  3. What is the effect of sodium citrate? Research stated that those with heart and kidney problems should avoid it, and also can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and involuntary muscle spasms.

  4. Also to note, canola oil is high inflammatory, impairs cognitive function and reduces antioxidant protection.

Everything else is okay-ish, I say that because again we don’t know the quality of the ingredients. Companies are in the business of saving money, not spending money for top notch products.

This is why I cook at home so I know exactly what’s going into my food with love always being the first ingredient. Now, the reason why you’re here, let’s get into my broccoli cheddar soup recipe!!!! So simple, so easy, so delicious.

First step is to melt half a stick of grassfed butter, about 1/4 cup.

Once the butter is melted, then you’re going to add 1/2 a yellow onion chopped and diced. Once the onion has been sautéing for about 3 minutes, you’ll then add in 1 minced garlic clove and 6 tbsp of flour and make sure you whisk that in well until all flour is well mixed and cooked.

Now, it’s time to add in 1 cup heavy cream, 12 oz bag of broccoli florets chopped into smaller pieces, shredded carrot as much or as little as you want, a tsp of dijon mustard. Mix together and let this simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow the broccoli to soften.

After the broccoli has softened, you’ll now want to add in 16 oz of grated cheddar cheese. I purchase block cheese because it melts better with no clumps versus pre-shredded bagged cheese. Stir frequently to make sure all cheese is melted and evenly distributed.

Once the cheese is melted and fully incorporated, add in cayenne pepper, salt and pepper to taste. If you’d like to remove some of the soup and add into a blender for a creamier soup, go ahead and do so ( I do this, as well).

You now have a nice, healthy, hearty soup that’s ready to eat! Serve and enjoy! Pairs lovely with sourdough, wheat, rye, baguette, dinner rolls, garlic bread, you name it! I enjoyed mine with garlic bread, yum!

Health Gworl