Why are breadbowls so amazing?

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

In keeping with the paean to Panera's:

NPR: Panera Opens Second "Pay What You Can" Shop

According to The Detroit News, Panera learned from the Clayton [MO] shop that "20 percent of patrons give more than the suggested donation, 60 percent give about the same amount and 20 percent leave less." There are no cash registers; just donation boxes.

That's not too far from me! Very cool concept.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AGDee

That's not too far from me! Very cool concept.

I actually thought of you when I posted it.

Originally Posted by Gusteau

Needless to say, breadbowls are heaven...

Like I said earlier, not for some of us.

HOWEVER - I can't believe so many of you like Panera Mac and Cheese! I didn't think it was bad, but it was just okay for me.

I'm always surprised when people ooh and ahh over any kind of mac and cheese that's basically a cheese sauce poured onto pasta. I don't care how good the sause is, mac and cheese isn't worth getting excited about (or paying more for than a box of Kraft costs) unless it's made with a custard or a white sauce (and lots of cheese) and baked.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I actually thought of you when I posted it.


Like I said earlier, not for some of us.

I'm always surprised when people ooh and ahh over any kind of mac and cheese that's basically a cheese sauce poured onto pasta. I don't care how good the sause is, mac and cheese isn't worth getting excited about (or paying more than a box of Kraft costs) unless it's made with a custard or a white sauce (and lots of cheese) and baked.

I'll agree there. It has to be baked and i want lots of real cheese. I want the top crunchy.. mmmmmmm.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Blue cheese is the best.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I'm always surprised when people ooh and ahh over any kind of mac and cheese that's basically a cheese sauce poured onto pasta. I don't care how good the sause is, mac and cheese isn't worth getting excited about . . . .

I must take back what I said. Where we had Thanksgiving dinner yesterday had mac and cheese that was pasta in a cheese sauce, but it was a blue cheese sauce. Out of this world amazing -- definitely worth getting excited about.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I must take back what I said. Where we had Thanksgiving dinner yesterday had mac and cheese that was pasta in a cheese sauce, but it was a blue cheese sauce. Out of this world amazing -- definitely worth getting excited about.

O.M.G. I want.

[honeychile]

That bleu cheese sauce sounds wonderful!

Small anecdote: one of my first jobs was for a very blustery politician who had an older, nice but rather blowsy mistress. This was a time when women rarely ran for office, but did all of the scut work, and a few women from my office were invited to get together for a casual dinner at a very proper lady's home. I was chosen as one of the few.

It was a small group, and the first few of us showed up in casual skirts & sweaters, and made small talk. Last ones to arrive were the drunk mistress & sidekick - both in jeans. She offered a bottle of fine wine to the hostess, saying, "I always like a snort before dinner." From the smell of her, she had snorted quite a few!

We retired to the dining room, oohing and aahing over the china and Duncan Phyfe decor. After we were seated, our hostess brought out the most delicious macaroni and cheese casserole (remember, this was casual) and said, "Oops, forgot the spoon!" While she was in the kitchen, the mistress declared, "I would have thought a clasy broad like that would have served something better than macaroni & cheese!" of course, near the top of her lungs. It was all downhill from there.

The next day at work, I was called into the front office, and the mistress said to the politician boss, "Yeah, that broad thought she was all prim & proper, but we had our secret weapon - Honey!"

Why did I tell this story (and trust me, this is just part of that story!)? Because really good macaroni and cheese doesn't come out of a box, but is a delicious, occasionally dressed up casserole. It can be a meal in itself or a side dish, but it's one of the world's best comfort foods, even when you're discussing some incredibly stressful tactics!

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by honeychile

The next day at work, I was called into the front office, and the mistress said to the politician boss, "Yeah, that broad thought she was all prim & proper, but we had our secret weapon - Honey!"

Ok...I have to know...how were you the secret weapon?

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Ok...I have to know...how were you the secret weapon?

On my very first day, I was told that I had to buy one of their flimsy white [politician's name] t-shirt. I just smiled and said that I'd buy the t-shirt, but could never possibly wear it in public (I'm top heavy). So, they called me "the classy broad", and I campaigned at teas and other places where flimsy white t-shirts weren't appropriate. Beat the heck out of slinging spaghetti!

[Shellfish]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Breadbowls in the cafeteria? Damn.

I know! They weren't even invented yet when I was a cafeteria customer. [/old]