Throw every kind of cob loaf party

Ain't no party like a cob party.

Baked brie in sourdough Source: Adam Liaw

--- The Cook Up with Adam Liaw's fourth season airs weeknights on SBS Food (Ch.33) at 7.00pm. All episodes available anytime on SBS On Demand. --- 

 

Once relegated to the dusty dancehall of forgotten party food (cheese hedgehogs and pigs in blankets also present), the cob loaf is back dancing once more. In fact, these days there ain't no party like a cob party.

It's no surprise, really. What's not to love about stuffing cheesy-dippy things into a hollowed-out bread loaf? And then the bread you removed to make the hollow becomes the dippers for the cheesy-dippy thing... and it's all completely portable for schlepping to your mate's party... the cob loaf is pure genius.

Back in the day the cob was almost exclusively kept for housing a packet of French onion dip. You know the one. It was so salty you'd need to rapidly drink at least three beverages just to feel your tastebuds again. No wonder the ol' cob loaf always brought the party.

These days the cob is filled with imagination. Every kind of dip suits this bread bowl (including a sweet chocolate and chocolate combination, should you wish to partake).

Here's what we mean.

Get the party started

No packet soup was harmed in the making of this cob loaf. Source: Kitti Gould

Naturally, if there's even a whiff of a trend, The Cook Up has you covered. Samantha Harris produced this spinach and mushroom cob loaf recipe and the crowd went wild. In fact, we're pretty sure Adam made one for his last gatho... pretty sure.

Load those carbs

Bread, cheese and potatoes - it's all here. Source: Brodie Nalywajko

A good party means dancing all night and you're going to need to layer your carbs for that. Enter the potato pizza cob loaf which will fuel you up in a single spud-y bite.

Posh parties, too

Does one need a whole board, when the charcuterie can be condensed into a delicious, impressive loaf of sourdough? Source: Adam Liaw

While the cob's reputation as a food destination is somewhat down-market, it needn't be the case. Magdalena Roza doesn't do anything that's not stylish and her baked brie in sourdough recipe is proof.

Further proof of (night) life

Anything with added fig passes for lavish. Source: Brodie Nalywajko

This ricotta, honey and fig stage is also evidence that a cob loaf can play fancy with the best of them. However, do not forget to decorate extensively with figs lest your party guests confuse your cob with a bog-standard barbecue variety.

Keep it fun

This special take on cob always generates big smiles in all who behold it. Source: HQ Non Fiction

Way to combine two retro classics into one moreish party dish. Hedgehog meets cob, cob meets hedgehog. They'll get along just fine...

Things heat up

At last, a way to enjoy a laksa without wearing it down the front of your shirt! Source: Cossies Poolside Bar and Bistro

This laksa cob is the signature dish at Cossies Poolside Bar and Bistro in Darwin. Laksa, Darwin and a party are exactly the stuff a cob loaf is made for. Make it as fiery as you can stand.

Keep things sweet

A dessert combo for the ages wrapped in bread - this cob loaf is birthday cake territories, it's that fun. Source: Brodie Nalywajko

If you've ever smashed a Nutella sandwich, you'll know what awesome dance partners chocolate and bread can make. This is why this choc honeycomb cob loaf is going to be the first on your list of recipes to try. Your next party will thank you times a thousand.

BYO

You don't even need to preheat the oven - just put the pot in, turn the oven right up and let the delightful smell of freshly baking bread wake you up. Source: Cook like an Italian

You can really up your cob loaf game by making it entirely from scratch. This overnight bread loaf recipe from Silvia Colloca is easy-as with most of the work happening gently while you sleep.