Fresh food fast – Panera Bread

People like Panera Bread because it’s good, fresh food fast not ‘fast food.’ The menu has enough variety to please most, if not all, palates, including kids! You won’t find French Fries or deep fried anything on the menu, just good fresh ingredients in fresh foods including sandwiches, soups, salads and of course, bread.

I tried to really figure out why I like Panera – besides the bread – it’s something more. I realized what it was when I learned about their Mac & Cheese.

Mac & Cheese has always been a comfort food for me and that’s what Panera is – comfort! The moment you walk into a Panera you smell that wonderful aroma and it gives you comfort. Comfort in the knowledge that you are getting the best and most fresh ingredients, made fresh daily, and comfort in knowing your appetite will be satisfied with any of the menu choices. Parents find comfort knowing not only that their kids will eat what is served, but they will LIKE it too! AND it’s healthy for them! Talk about a happy meal!

Is it any surprise that Panera likes to share their inspiration, recipes and story with their customers? If you want to make Panera inspired fare, check out the video their Head Chef, Dan Kish shares how to make the Panera Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil salad; the salad is only available in summer because they only use fresh ingredients and that is when the tomatoes are at their peak. Same with the strawberries used in their Strawberry Poppyseed & Chicken Salad. Go to their Facebook page for the “Currently Celebrating” drop down menu and see for yourself!

And if you like to bake bread, you can get tips on how to do it at home from Panera’s Head Baker, Tom Gumpel. Tom says it’s simple; to get fresh dough use the freshest ingredients you can get. And that is what Panera does.

How much do you love bread? Watch this short video for their Ode to Bread and then submit your own Ode on Panera’s Facebook page and you may find your works highlighted in an upcoming USA Today ad.

To learn more about Panera, go to their website, www.panerabread.com; you can friend them on Facebook or follow on twitter

Where do you find fresh ingredients for your recipes? What foods are your comfort foods?

Disclosure: This is sponsored content and we have been paid to do this post. That being said, we do not blog about anything we do not believe in and Panera did not edit our post or direct our content in any way.