BROTH BOWLS FROM PANERA BREAD: EATING OUT

Every Family has some small traditions. We have quite a few of our own. One of them is a visit to Panera Bread after a Well Visit to the Doc. I know it might sound random, and no, we dont get paid for it, by Panera. Its not an endorsement of any sort.

There is a Panera Bread located strategically almost next door to our daughter's doctor's office. So most of the parents will be seen grabbing a coffee or a bite with their toddlers in tow. As the weather still has a chill to it, I decided to opt for Panera's latest offering: the BROTH BOWLS.

There are four offerings in Broth Bowls and all of them border around or slightly over the 400 calorie mark. They are Asian inspired for sure, as the broth base is a blend of Soy Sauce and Miso. For the carbs, you can either opt for Soba Noddles or Lentil-Quinoa Blend.

I usually opt for the Half and Half menu selection from Panera, and always feature some kind of a seasonal soup in the mix. But This Broth Bowl seemed to offer the best of both worlds.

I opted for the ASIAN INSPIRED SOBA NOODLE BOWL WITH CHICKEN. I am a die hard non vegetarian and will want a dash of animal protien at most times. I felt it was Panera's take on the trendy Ramen Noodle Bowls. Unfortunately KC does not have a speciality Ramen Noodle Bar except for the Noodle and Company outlets around town.

The menu claimed to use antibiotic free white meat Chicken, soba buckwheat noodles, fresh spinach, Napa cabbage, mushrooms, onions,cilantro, sesame seeds in a soy-miso broth.

The broth was really tasty and the sesame seeeds and the cilantro added a nice dimension to the flavor profile. The Chicken was served in thick and long chunks, which I would have preferred in smaller bite sized chunks. But was not too impressed with the buckwheat noodles. Overall the broth bowl was quite heavy and filling, as I had opted for bread with it. But maybe, Panera could offer some option on the choice of noodles next time. How about some Rice Noodles

Pic Courtesy: Panera Bread

The other options available in the BROTH BOWLS are:

 SOBA NOODLE BOWL WITH EDAMAME:
Soba Buckwheat Noodles, roasted edamame. fresh spinach, Napa Cabbage, mushrooms, onions, cilantro,sesame seeds  in a soy miso broth.

LENTIL QUINOA BOWL WITH CHICKEN: 
Chicken, quinoa,lentils,brown rice. tomato sofrito, kale, spinach, lemon juice in a soy-miso broth

LENTIL QUINOA BOWL WITH CAGE FREE EGG:
Quinoa, lentil, brown rice, Kale, Spinach, lemon juice,tomato sofrito. in a soy-miso broth topped with a hard boiled egg.

So go ahead and pick up a bowl of your choice and don't forget to tell me how it was.

Bon Appetit !!!