Beyond Basic Sandwiches: Creative Lunch Ideas & Supporting Kids with COBS Bread

There’s a simple truth I hold dear: bread is more than just a food; it’s a foundation, a comfort, and often, a canvas for culinary creativity. My appreciation for all things bread runs deep, but if I had to pick a champion, toast, in its myriad forms, might just be the world’s most perfect food. Whether it’s slathered with sweet jam, blanketed with melted cheese, adorned with plump raisins, spread with creamy peanut butter, or even topped with trendy avocado, toast offers an unparalleled joy in its simplicity and versatility. It’s a staple that brightens mornings and provides quick, satisfying bites throughout the day.

A Love Affair with COBS Bread & Community Spirit

My journey with COBS Bread began during my years in Vancouver, and it’s a relationship that has only grown stronger. Their dedication to crafting exceptional baked goods is evident in every loaf. One of my all-time favorites, the Apricot Delight Log, stands out. It’s a true masterpiece, boasting an incredibly generous quantity of dried apricots, raisins, and currants – a richness rarely found in bakery breads. Toasted to perfection, it creates a breakfast experience that’s both indulgent and satisfying, a delightful start to any day.

Beyond their delicious offerings, COBS Bread has truly impressed me with their unwavering commitment to community support. I’ve witnessed their generosity firsthand. Each time I’ve volunteered to make sandwiches at the Drop-in Centre, a significant quantity of high-quality bread has been graciously donated by COBS. This consistent support ensures that those experiencing homelessness or food insecurity have access to nourishing meals. Similarly, organizations like the Leftovers Foundation, dedicated to rescuing edible food and redistributing it to those in need, regularly collect donations from COBS, further amplifying their positive impact on the community. It’s inspiring to see a business so deeply integrated into the fabric of local welfare, actively working to combat food waste and hunger.

Fueling Futures: Supporting the Breakfast Club of Canada

This weekend presents another incredible opportunity to support a vital cause through COBS Bread’s annual Breakfast Club of Canada fundraiser. From Friday, September 15th, through Sunday, September 17th, COBS Bread will donate $1 from every loaf of bread sold directly to the Breakfast Club of Canada. This isn’t just a small gesture; it’s a powerful one, as a single dollar provides breakfast for a child for an entire day.

The statistics are stark: in Canada, nearly one million children go to school without breakfast each morning. This lack of proper nutrition can significantly impact their concentration, academic performance, and overall well-being. The Breakfast Club of Canada is on a mission to change this. They work tirelessly to launch and support breakfast programs in schools and communities across the country, ensuring that children have access to healthy, balanced meals before the school day begins. Their impact goes far beyond just providing food; they foster a supportive environment, training youth and volunteers, thereby boosting community engagement and fostering a sense of belonging. Last year, COBS Bread helped raise over $100,000 for this incredible initiative, providing 100,000 breakfasts to hungry kids. This year, they’ve set an ambitious goal of raising $150,000, which translates to an astounding 150,000 breakfasts for children who need them most. When COBS asked me to help spread the word and share some sandwich ideas, I was more than happy to lend my support. Bread plus feeding kids—that’s a cause I can enthusiastically get behind.

Discovering New Favorites: The Higher Fibre Loaf

This week, I had the pleasure of discovering the Higher Fibre Loaf from COBS. This squishy, delightful white loaf offers a wonderful texture that’s appealing to a wide range of palates, including my son W’s preference, but with the added benefit of a healthy fibre boost. I particularly appreciate that COBS offers choices, allowing customers to have their loaves sliced thin – perfect for delicate sandwiches or crisp toast. This versatility makes it an excellent addition to any kitchen. You can opt for regular-sized or mini loaves, depending on your needs. Another long-standing favorite of mine is their whole wheat loaf, especially the one generously doused in sesame seeds, visible on the right in the image above. Paired with a morning coffee, toasted with peanut butter, it has become my go-to breakfast all week, proving that wholesome and delicious can go hand-in-hand.

Creative Lunchbox Solutions: The Taco Grilled Cheese

My son, W, is a big fan of sandwiches for lunch. However, with the transition to junior high this year, peanut butter, which was once an acceptable and easy school lunch option, is no longer permitted due to allergy policies. This prompted us to get creative and explore alternatives beyond the usual (though perfectly delicious) ham and cheese. Currently, W’s absolute favorite food is tacos. While a full-fledged taco spread might be an unreasonable request for a school lunchbox due to logistics and potential mess, a brilliant idea sparked: a grilled cheese-taco mash-up. I envisioned a sandwich that would combine the beloved flavors of tacos with the comforting portability of a grilled cheese, perfectly delicious even after it cooled down to lunchbox temperature.

To bring this vision to life, we cooked up some ground beef, seasoning it with a shake of chili powder, cumin, and a pinch of salt. This simple yet flavorful mixture forms the heart of our “Taco Grilled Cheese.” Once the beef was ready, we layered it generously between slices of bread, along with plenty of grated cheese and a dollop of fresh salsa. The result is a savory, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying sandwich that tastes remarkably like a taco in a convenient, handheld form.

For that irresistible golden-brown crust, a trick I swear by is spreading mayonnaise on the outside of the bread instead of butter. Mayonnaise is so much easier to spread evenly and consistently, and it creates a fabulously crispy and flavorful outer crust when grilled. For those who enjoy a little extra kick, stirring a squirt of Sriracha into the mayonnaise before spreading it adds a wonderful spicy zing that complements the taco flavors perfectly. This simple tweak elevates a regular grilled cheese into a gourmet experience.

An Indulgent Experiment: French Onion Soup Grilled Cheese

While in this experimental sandwich-making mode, I couldn’t resist indulging my own cravings. I took a moment to caramelize a couple of onions, letting them slowly transform into a sweet, rich, golden-brown confit. With these luscious onions, a splash of balsamic vinegar for depth, and a generous amount of stretchy, gooey cheese (Gruyere, if you happen to have it on hand, is a divine addition), I crafted a French onion soup grilled cheese. Oh yes, I absolutely did. This decadent creation brings all the comforting, savory flavors of a classic French onion soup into a portable, cheesy sandwich. It’s a perfect treat for a cozy evening or a luxurious lunch, proving that grilled cheese can be an incredibly sophisticated dish.

Efficiency and Enjoyment: Quick Meals for Busy Lives

The idea of making “taco sandwiches” might sound like a big production, especially on a busy weekday morning. However, with a little bit of preparation, they can be remarkably quick and easy. If you keep a container of the seasoned ground beef mixture in the fridge, along with grated cheese and your favorite salsa, assembling one or two of these delicious grilled cheeses takes no more time than making a cup of coffee or scrambling some eggs. I actually cherish those few minutes spent at the stove, gently grilling the sandwich while sipping my morning coffee – it’s a small, meditative moment before the day truly kicks in. And let’s be honest, even if you only have time for a classic peanut butter and jelly, a taco grilled cheese makes for an excellent, quick, and satisfying dinner option when you’re short on time and craving something comforting.

As you plan your meals and grocery runs this week, please remember the powerful impact of your choices. Each loaf of bread you pick up at COBS Bread this weekend – from Friday, September 15th, to Sunday, September 17th – will not only bring deliciousness to your table but also buy a much-needed breakfast for a child who might otherwise go hungry. Your support helps nourish young minds and bodies, giving them the best possible start to their day. Let’s help COBS Bread reach their goal of 150,000 breakfasts and make a tangible difference in the lives of Canadian children.