News

Panera Bread spices up spring menu

March 30, 2010

Panera Bread has added a new bold and spicy Cuban Chicken Panini and JalapeÃ±o and Cheddar Bagel Breakfast Sandwich to its menu in addition to a Strawberries & Cream Scone and Apple Crunch Muffin.

The new Cuban Chicken Panini is made with all-natural antibiotic-free chicken, lean smoked ham, Swiss cheese, chipotle mayo, sun-dried tomato ale mustard and served on freshly baked focaccia. Panera's Cuban sandwich also incorporates sweet and spicy pickle chips that are marinated in a jalapeÃ±o-infused brine.

"After more than a year of development, we decided to test our Cuban Chicken Panini in the heart of the Cuban community -- Miami," said Panera's head chef Dan Kish. "While it was a risk to introduce our spin on a Cuban sandwich to a particularly demanding customer base, we figured that if it could succeed there, it could succeed anywhere. Judging by our customers' response in Miami, we're confident our take on the Cuban sandwich is going to be a welcome addition to the menu."

The JalapeÃ±o and Cheddar Bagel Breakfast Sandwich features the newly created JalapeÃ±o and Cheddar Bagel. The traditional flour has been replaced with corn flour for an intense, authentic roasted flavor with mild yellow cheddar added to the dough. The sandwich also features an egg, Vermont white cheddar and a slice of lean smoked ham.

In the baked goods areana, Panera Bread is introducing a Strawberries & Cream Scone and Apple Crunch Muffin. The cream-based Strawberries and Cream scone is made with dried infused strawberries, white chocolate chips and strawberry bits. Meanwhile, the reduced fat Apple Crunch Muffin features freshly chopped apple chunks, topped with the crumbly cinnamon and sugar topping from Panera's signature Cinnamon Crunch Bagel.

Food & Beverage