Panera Bread just opened up down the way from work.  Just what I need – more bread…

Don’t get me wrong – I love bread.  A lot.  But having even more bread within easy reach is.. well… wonderful, actually.  And it will probably be my downfall.

We just finished the last of the Easter Bread at dinner last night.  We have a loaf of Le Bus’ Walnut Raisin Bread in the freezer (I absolutely love it!) , and just finished a fresh loaf of Panera’s Sesame Semolina Miche a few days ago.

I walked into Panera and it was worse than being a kid in a candy store.  I wanted everything.  And I wanted big huge loaves of everything.  And then I wanted to go home and make 500 different sandwiches.

Grilled with different cheeses oozing out – along with fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes, and maybe some prosciutto, or bacon and avocado, or.. or..  You get the picture…

My problem (okay, one of numerous problems) is that I don’t really want to eat all of them – I just want a taste or two.  At home, though, I don’t have that option.  I make it and I have to eat it.  No wasting!

The one saving grace with Panera is that as good as their bread is –  it’s a lot more expensive than I want to spend on a regular basis.  It shall be a special occasion bread. (And lord knows I can dream up special occasions!)

*** Edited later to add:

Two years later I’m making about 85% of the bread we eat and it’s a lot better than anything one can get from a chain bakery. Yes, their breads are good.  Mine are better.