Buzz
Soup and its delivery methods are constantly changing. As noted earlier this week by Jezebel, Panera is revolutionizing our soup experience with a quirky twist: a soup trough featuring not one, but two compartments.
Your first instinct may be to fill both sections with soup, but Panera encourages you to be adventurous and add macaroni. They also suggest sharing this creation with a friend, partner, or coworker, though honestly, it might be best enjoyed solo, perhaps under a bridge, wrapped in a shawl, away from judgment (whether divine or otherwise).
Due to the disillusionment with capitalism, this strange food-art hybrid will be available exclusively in Philadelphia (where, conveniently, A.A. Newton resides) from August 5th (my birthday, no less) to August 31st. If you're not in Philly and *need* to experience the double bread bowl, you'll have to make one yourself. Here's how to do it:
Step 1: Let go of your pride (and grab some bread)
Alright. You're about to create a bread trough, likely filled with macaroni and cheese, so it's time to be real with yourself. Look into the mirror, stare at your face, and say, 'I'm about to make a double bread bowl now.' This will help you shed any last traces of your ego.
Next, head to the bakery and grab a sizable, oblong loaf of bread (not a baguette), like a French boule, a thick batard, or a hearty loaf of sourdough. The size is key here—big bread energy is essential, and this loaf should be notably large.
Step 2: Create the bowls
With a sharp, narrow blade (not a bread knife, because we’re not slicing here), carefully carve out two three-inch holes, about an inch and a half apart. Remove the bread plugs and either eat them or save them for later.
Continue removing bread until the voids are large enough to hold your desired amount of soup and cheesy noodles. Use the bread scraps to make croutons by frying them in butter. Be cautious not to break the wall separating the two bowls—that would be a mess (though not really).
Step 3: Fill the gaps
Now it’s time to stuff food inside more food. If you’re concerned about the soup soaking through the bread, you can coat the inside with a little room-temperature butter (or mayo) to create a waterproof barrier, or you could toss in some cheese slices. Honestly, it doesn’t matter. None of this matters.
Spoon hot soup into one side—this thing can hold an entire can—and fill the other with macaroni and cheese. Garnish it, if you want to make it look presentable. Grab two spoons, find a friend to share your creation with, and realize you’ve never felt more alone.
