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Panera Bread Summer Corn Chowder

Panera Bread Summer Corn Chowder

5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 220
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 large onion, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 5 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 russet potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 4 cups fresh corn kernels
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
  • salt, to taste
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 2 ripe plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch pieces, for garnish
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Method
 

  1. Add the olive oil and butter to a pot over low heat. Saute the diced onion for about 10 minutes over low heat until the onion becomes transparent.
  2. Sprinkle the flour over the onion, and cook for an additional 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
  3. Next, add the vegetable broth and potatoes to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover the pot with a lid, and allow it to simmer until the potatoes are tender, for about 10 minutes.
  4. Add the corn, bell peppers, salt, pepper and half and half. Continue to simmer the chowder over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
  5. Ladle the soup into a serving bowl, and garnish with the tomato and basil.

Notes

  • Make sure that your potatoes and bell peppers are diced into small pieces, 1/4 inches or smaller. This ensures that each piece is cooked thoroughly in the least amount of time, and gives you a full bite without being too big to chew. 
  • You can choose any garnish you like. If you don't have fresh basil, you can use green onion slices or even parsley.
  • This is a vegetarian dish, but if you have a meat-lover in your family as I do, you can add pieces of bacon to the top. 
  • This soup can be stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for 4 to 5 days. Be sure to omit the garnish if you're storing the soup, and add it just before serving.