In a time where most seem to find their next recipe online and cookbooks are seemingly becoming a thing of the past, Croppa Creek Store is reconnecting with the little town’s history, one recipe at a time.
For the past week, they’ve started a new tradition – calling it Nostalgia Oven, the store has been taking inspiration from the 35+ year old Croppa Creek Community Cook Book.
Owner of the store, Carolyn Bellman, said, “One of the residents gave me a copy of the book a couple of years ago, and I found it again and thought, these recipes are fantastic, we should try some in the store.”
The result has been not only a trip down memory lane for many, but also a culinary success with old favourites being discovered, or rediscovered, one school cookbook recipe at a time.
“The book was a collaboration between the community and the Far West Organisation, and proceeds from its sale went towards the local school,” said Ms Bellman.
“The cookbooks were all typed out on a typewriter by Cheryl Timmins while her husband was away driving trucks for work – and she still lives in town, so we’ve been picking her brain for all the stories of the locals who put their recipes forward to be printed in the book.”
So far, the store has served up C. Plunkett’s Rich Beef Casserole, E. Wilby’s Banana Loaf, A. Anderson’s Broccoli and Rice Bake and V. Bird’s 4-minute Chocolate Cake.
“Today we’re preparing Jenny McGuinness’s Sweet and Sour Pork for service tomorrow. She still lives in town, so we’ll be delivering her a plate for dinner,” said Ms Bellman.
The feedback on the recipes and the project itself has been overwhelmingly positive.
“More than anything, it’s been fun,” said Ms Bellman.
“Not only are the recipes all actually really good, but it’s also fascinating to see how people were cooking at that stage and the kinds of ingredients they used.”
“The Broccoli and Rice Bake used something called Cheez Whiz and none of us even knew what that was so I went righto, we’ve got cheese spread, that’ll do – and it turned out great!”
Ms Bellman tells us that the recipes have been such a success so far that many will likely become staples on the menu.
“I just love that we’re reconnecting with a bit of the town’s history – we’ve had people coming in or messaging us and saying ‘that’s my mum’s recipe’ and they have so many fond memories associated with that particular time in their lives and that meal.”
“It’s also really reignited our, and a lot of others’ interest in cooking and some of the older recipes, so I’m very much here for that too,” said Ms Bellman.
Nostalgia Oven will remain a feature at the Croppa Creek store for at least the next couple of weeks. To follow along with what they’re cooking up each day, head over to their Facebook page.
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