I met my fellow farmers’ market vendor friend, Sue, at Panera Bread last Saturday for early morning coffee and as I was placing my order a tray of warm sour dough boules that Panera uses for soup bowls was brought out of the kitchen and placed on a rack right in front of me. There was no way I could resist those golden brown little balls with their heavenly aroma so I bought several for the chowder I was planning to make for Sunday dinner. These little bowls hold just the right amount of soup, soak up the perfect amount of liquid and are heavenly delicious with whatever you fill them with. Tear off little pieces of the crusty sour dough as you eat the filling - a scrumptious meal all in one.
I prepared the bread bowls by cutting a slice off the top and hollowing out the boules to hold the amount of filling I wanted to use. I brushed the insides with a little olive oil and put them into a hot oven (400°) for about 6-8 minutes to toast them a little bit. Fill the bread with hot soup (right to the top) and return to the oven for another 5-7 minutes. Depending on the filling turn the broiler on for a couple of minutes if you want the tops to crisp up and brown. I love quick and easy meals like this, don’t you?
I have filled these little bowls with so many different things: stews, chili, soups, veggies, the possibilities are endless. Just be sure there is plenty of broth or gravy in the filling because the bread absorbs some (that’s what make it yummy) and you don’t want the filling to be dry. This is a great dish to serve for Sunday brunch because after the filling is gone the bread can be leisurely enjoyed with another cup of coffee or glass of juice (or another Mimosa). Here are some suggestions for fillings that are perfect for these little bread bowls:
Broccoli Cheddar Soup – very similar to Panera’s famous soup
Ribollita - a classic bread and soup combo
Chili Molé – top with grated cheese, chopped tomato, avocado and cilantro
This post is linked to Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum. I hope you will stop by for a visit.
To stay up to date with the latest recipes and travel posts from Wives with Knives, please subscribe here.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
What a good idea – great for Friday night card-playing company, I’d say. I’ll have to scout out that sort of bread.
Delicious!
Karen recently posted..Pizza Hut Pan Pizza – Copycat Recipe
What a delightful looking dinner! Wow, I never even thought that you could purchase those fun little bread bowls – what a great idea with any soup! Makes it seem quite fancy!
The Café Sucré Farine recently posted..Meyer Lemon, Orange & Fresh Ginger Freezer Marmalade
I have always wanted to make this; serving chowder in a bread bowl. You really did a great job with it. Those recipes are right up my alley; we love chowder.
Rita
I do love meals like that, and i would eat every bit of it!
I would love to find abgood recipe for the bowls, Panera here is pretty pricey.
That’s your assignment, Cathy!
Your soup looks wonderful, I know it is , as I have never been disappointed in any of your recipes!
And the pork fried rice is delicious, big chunks of tender pork, not greasy or salty like so many of the places here sell!
Kathleen recently posted..What’s Your Fortune, Cookie?
What a wonderful looking chowder.
I luv bread! I mean really luv it. I have to eat it with just about every meal.
Ramona recently posted..Friday the 13th Sunrise
This just looks super good Cathy and I hope you had some leftover to curl up with during the storm. I’ll have to stop by Panera and get some of these. The part I like best is the overfilling causing it to run down the side – it’s hard for me to do that – the engineer in me you know.
Larry recently posted..German Night At The Ranch
The soup and the bread bowls look fantastic!
Carol @There’s Always Thyme to Cook recently posted..Moo Shu Chicken and Vegetables
Oh does that look delicious! I would love to try the soup/chowder bread bowl concept and I need to check out Panera when this storm passes.
Blessings,
Aimee
My hubby would love this if I could fine those little bread bowls. We get them at Disneyland every year!
Rainey @ The Project Table
Rainey recently posted..French Country Omelet
Oh yum!
Reminds me our 70′s spinach dips..but w/ warm soup..Gotta try soon..Hmm.I feel like a chowder:)
Monique recently posted..Marie’s Pizza Puffs~
Love the little bread bowls Cathy and the pics are just beautiful-enjoy:@)
Oh Cathy, I get my choice of recipes? I am starting with the chowders. Now to narrow it down to one! This will be perfect with the chilly weather!
Kate recently posted..One Whole Lemon Equals A Tasty Treat!
This soup looks so darn good I want to make up a big pot right now! And in a bread bowl from Panera? Be still my heart!! xo
Barbara F. recently posted..It’s inevitable
The picture is making me hungry right now! I love soups & chowders & in a bread bowl…even better!
Kitty recently posted..Grandmother’s Famous Cranberry Bread
Love going to Panera, maybe we should meet there sometime. Now that would be fun!
Marilyn recently posted..A Tea Kettle
oh wow, this looks SO good! i love soup in bread bowls, just a treat to sit down to!
teresa recently posted..Thai Coconut Shrimp
love that you posted multiple recipes for using the bread bowls….I checked out the goulash recipe…I’ve been making that for 40 years….my mother’s recipe which included brown sugar so it was sweet and sour….we eat it with egg noodles and those tiny peas….Oh I’m getting hungry….
Sue in Atlanta recently posted..PRISCILLA……QUEEN OF THE DESERT…….Honest I had no idea.
What a great idea Cathy. I’m making a note to stop by Panera’s today. Thanks for the idea. Would be really fun for guests for lunch too.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Dreaming of the South of France and Seafood Stew
What a great way to serve chowder. I have been wanting to do this with a soup or stew. Such a lovely pic.
Thanks for coming by for a visit.
Margaret recently posted..{CEinMB} Fetticcine Bolognese
This looks delicious–and perfect for your weather which I hope is improving!!
Best,
Bonnie
Bonnie recently posted..The Party!
I have to pick up some of those from Panera and try my next soup or stew in them! Your seafood chowder sounds perfect to me.
Susan recently posted..Lemon Angel Wings
That looks so good that I can’t speak…my mouth is tingling.
Heather @girlichef recently posted..50 Women Game-Changers (in Food): #31 Donna Hay – Banana-Buttermilk Cinnamon Breads
The photos are making me hungry! YUM
Dear Helen Hartman recently posted..Where are my Manners?
What a GREAT idea, to just BUY the bread bowls from Panera!!! Why don’t I ever think outside the box like that??? Thanks for sharing.
I’m pinning this, since I see your watermark! *wink*
Rettabug recently posted..Snowy January Decor
THIS.LOOKS.AMAZING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE WINTER COMFORT FOOD.
I WILL TRY THIS FOR SURE !
XO
This is so fabulous! And makes eating fun, I have to add. The chowder looks extraordinary but served in an individual boule is fabulous!
Jamie recently posted..CAULIFLOWER AND POTATO GRATIN
Chowder in bread bowls is so popular here in New England. Toasting beforehand is an excellent tip.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Moroccan Chicken Stew
There is something about having soup in a bread bowl that makes me warm all over…this looks fantastic!
Magic of Spice recently posted..Food of the week – Parsley Root