Since February of 2023, the multimedia team at Arkansas Valley Electric in Ozark has been stirring up a tasty online sensation, “The Co-op Cookin’ Show.”
Hosts and self-proclaimed amateur chefs Barbara Jenkins and Emily Reames regularly whip up recipes on the co-op’s YouTube Channel, using the most modern technology methods to celebrate and preserve time-honored rural cooking traditions.
Both professional and personal reasons inspired Barbara, a new mom, and Emily, a newlywed, to start the show. In addition to trying to reach and engage cooperative members, Barbara says, “We both want to be homemakers, and we want to experiment in the kitchen in our own lives.”
Several shows feature vintage Arkansas Living recipes. Others might showcase fellow co-op employees and their cherished family recipes.
The sharing doesn’t stop there, Emily says: “We go around and share the food that we made that day, and it’s been a nice bonding experience with our co-workers.”
As for what’s cooking on “The Co-op Cookin’ Show” this fall, expect fried fair food and smoker recipes, including meats as well as — drool! — smoked apple pie.
Speaking of pie, when I asked Barbara and Emily for the best recipe they’ve prepared, both agree it’s Pecan Delights, courtesy of Mrs. J. O. Bickham of Tillar, from the August 1971 issue of the magazine.
Additional fall recipes in this issue include a heaping a heaping helping of cooperative colleagues’ recipes for National Co-op Month.
Bon appetit!
