Cob loaf

1. Add the cob loaf ingredients into a bowl or food processor this order: water, yeast, flour, improver, salt.
2. Mix to roughly combine.
3. Tip out dough onto bench and knead by hand until a smooth dough forms.
4. Place dough into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with cling film and place into a warm spot. I use the front seat of my car or a warmed oven.
5. Leave this to rise for approximately an hour or until doubled.
6. Remove dough from bowl, knock out the air by shaping your dough into a cob loaf shape.
7. Allow to rise for another 30-40 minutes or until almost doubled in size.
8. Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
9. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes. The cob will sound hollow when tapped underneath.
10. Allow to cool slightly.
11. Hollow out the cob to form a shell and place bread pieces aside.

Dip

1. Chop onion, parsley and bacon finely.
2. Add oil to a frying pan and cook onion, parsley and bacon until translucent and fragrant.
3. Add cream cheese, sour cream, cheese and salt and pepper.
4. Cook for 3 minutes or until thickened slightly.
5. Spoon into hollow cob loaf.
6. Bake for 20 minutes.
7. Serve with bread pieces around cob.