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Creamy Tomato Soup with Asiago Cheese Croutons

From the Panera Bread Kitchen
Serves 6
5 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
4 tablespoons flour
4 cups milk
1/2 bay leaf
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups tomatoes, chopped (fresh or canned)
    Adding baking soda to the tomatoes keeps the milk from curdling
1 Loaf of Asiago Bread(sliced Thick)
Melt the Butter in a soup pot.
Add the onion and cook over medium heat, stirring, until the onion is softened but not browned.
Sprinkle the flour over the butter mixture and continue to stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
Slowly add the milk, bay leaf, sugar, and salt and continue to cook and stir until slightly thickened.
Stir the baking soda into the tomatoes.
Add the tomatoes to the milk, and bring just to a simmer.
Remove from the heat and put through a strainer.
Taste and correct seasonings.
Reheat before serving.   Top with Asiago Croutons- The More the Better!
Make croutons for the top of the soup by cubing Panera Bread Asiago Loaf into 3/4-inch thick slices.
Butter both sides of those slices, then cut the slices into bite-size cubes.
Bake the bread in a 425 degree oven for 15 minutes or until crispy.

Other recipes are in the Panera Bread® Cookbook, available at www.barnesandnoble.com.
© Panera Bread 2006
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Byrdy Cake - A healthy alternative to traditional chocolate cake

Matt's mother made a fabulous chocolate cake this weekend.  Not the least bit sponge-y..full with thick chocolate goodness.  So of course I called her for the recipe and made a version appropriate for this (now) healthy home.  I was shocked at how great it tasted when I was done.  I use all non-fat, sugar free, naturals - with the exception of the starting mix.  I promise this one will be a hit!  Well, here it is...straight from the Byrdy test kitchen, moments ago.

• 1 box Devils Chocolate food cake mix (dry mix)
• 1 small box Fat-free, Sugar-free Instant Chocolate Pudding (dry mix)
• 1 1/3 Cups Unsweetened Apple Sauce (this replaces using eggs)
• 1 Cup Fat-Free Sour Cream
• 1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/2 Cup water
• (optional - I did not use this in the healthier version) grate 2 small blocks of semi-sweet baking chocolate into batter. 

Spray a 9x13 glass dish and sprinkle with whole wheat flour to lightly coat.  Spread batter evenly in dish.  Bake at 350 for 35-40 min.

Breakfast smoothie...healthy and yummy!

Try this great Emeril Lagasse smoothie recipe for breakfast:

1 large ripe banana, peeled and sliced
1 cup hulled strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries, or peeled and sliced kiwi (about 2)
1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons honey
**I like to add a little ice....1/4 cup

Enjoy!