The Ile Camera
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Woman finds niche compiling family recipes
By Laura Hipshire, Heritage Newspapers
PUBLISHED: February 2, 2007
Many families memorialize their time together by cataloging photos and boxing up cherished keepsakes.
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Betsy Ross McCoy's family does that, too, but they've added a kicker to their traditions — so far they have self-published two cookbooks containing many of their own special family recipes.
McCoy, a Grosse Ile resident, grew up with four brothers and two sisters in Williamsport, Pa. She has lived here since 1993. Although she now works in a local doctor's office, McCoy's passion is cooking.
"We were always calling my mom to ask her how she made her peanut brittle or pizza burgers," the 51-year-old said.
Her sister, Cathe, suggested the family put the recipes in print before they were forgotten.
In 1995, their first cookbook, aptly named "Before It Is Lost Forever," was produced at an office supply store.
"Each of us contributed our own family favorites," she said. "My mom included recipes handed down to her from her mother, and my dad contributed his mother's recipe for Easter bread, which was written in pencil by my grandmother on the back of an envelope."
The book was a hit.
"We took orders from family members, and the cost was determined by the number of books ordered," she said.
In 2004, they produced a second book called "Second Helpings."
"As we grew older, our tastes changed, and we were eating healthier," McCoy said.
And because many of her siblings had young children by then, speedy and simple recipes also were in demand.
"Cathe makes many delicious vegetarian recipes," McCoy said. "My sister, Christine, is famous for her quick and easy recipes."
McCoy said her brothers are excellent cooks, too. She describes herself as a "self-taught" cook.
The first dish she ever made was "Ham Loaf Hawaiian," which consisted of Spam, canned pineapple and brown sugar glaze. The recipe came straight from the first cookbook she ever received. She was 8 years old.
"My family thought it was truly gourmet!" McCoy said.
While her friends read novels, McCoy reads cookbooks in her leisure time. Today, she boasts of a collection of more than 500 cookbooks.
"I use them constantly," she said.
Some recipes she is best known for are barbecued ribs, carrot cake cheesecake and spicy peanut noodles.
The family's most prized recipe is for rugelach — a Christmas cookie filled with cinnamon, sugar and nuts.
"When my mom had surgery and could no longer eat nuts, I developed a rugelach recipe with raspberry fruit spread and white chocolate that is gradually taking over the original recipe for the crown," McCoy said.
For many years, the stay-at-home wife and mother created dishes for her late husband, Dan, and their son, Andy.
"When Dan died, I would cook for Andy and his friends," she said.
Now that her son has moved to Florida, she cooks mostly for herself.
"I enjoy re-creating dishes from restaurants, adding my own touches to make them lighter and healthier," she said.
McCoy said she often watches the Food Network while working out on her treadmill.
The family members' third cookbook, which they hope to have finished by the end of this year, will be called "Branching Out."
Besides family, the next cookbook also will include contributions from friends and co-workers.
"We hope to do at least one more after our third book," McCoy said. "The working title is 'Celebrate This Life,' and will include holiday party menus and recipes, as well as family anecdotes from our own celebrations."
According to McCoy, creating the cookbooks isn't always a "piece of cake." She said the hardest part about doing them is "getting everyone to submit their recipes on time."
Compiling and typing the recipes typically takes up to six months.
So far, the family's recipe for success seems to be working.
"I've come a long way from canned Spam," McCoy said.
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