CNY greyhound adoption group publishes a community cookbook

Over 300 cookbooks line the bookshelves in the Syracuse Food kitchen, including almost two dozen “community” cookbooks. These collections of favorite personal recipes from church groups, parent-teacher organizations, booster clubs and ethnic social clubs run the gamut of flavors, but every one that makes it to the bookshelf has some unique quality – ethnic recipes, low carb recipes, well-done illustrations, a special fundraiser.

The newest community cookbook to join the Syracuse Food collection is Comfort Food for Humans & Hounds, created by the rescuers and greyhound owners of Kindred Spirits Greyhound Adoption Inc. (KSGA). KSGA is headquartered in Clinton, NY, about 50 miles east of Syracuse. They foster and rehome retired racing greyhounds from Florida and Alabama, placing them mainly with central New York residents as far east as Ilion and as far west as Syracuse's western suburbs. The group also takes in, rehabilitates and rehomes greyhounds seized in local animal cruelty cases.

The $15 cookbook is available from KSGA at their local events, as well as from a link on their website to publisher Lulu.com. At the Lulu.com page for Comfort Food for Humans & Hounds, cookbook collectors and supporters can also download an electronic copy from the publisher for $5.

According to Cindy Siddon, co-Executive Director of KSGA and cookbook editor, the project was more than 15 months in the making. Over 120 recipes from the members of KSGA, adoptive families and friends were compiled and edited into the final book, along with sayings, mottos and observations about dogs and dog ownership. Conceived and priced as a fundraiser, all proceeds from sales of the KSGA cookbook (about 50% of the cover price) will fund the group's work: rescue and rehoming of retired racing greyhounds in central New York. The balance of the cover price goes to the publisher to cover printing for each paper copy.

Comfort Food for Humans & Hounds is dedicated to Carol Robertaccio, one of the founders of KSGA. Robertaccio passed away in 2009 from complications of metastatic breast cancer. The recipes are liberally illustrated, but not with the food photos a reader would expect in a cookbook. Over 40 candid photos of retired racing greyhounds and their friends, taken in their new central New York homes, set the pages apart from other cookbooks.

Community cookbooks often contain recipes readers may have shared or eaten at family gatherings or pot lucks and tail gate parties. KSGA's cookbook includes recipes for some of those favorites like Rye Bread Dip, Breakfast Casserole and Robert Redford Cake. But it expands on the typical community cookbook offerings by including central New York favorites like Chicken Riggies and Hot Greens (aka Utica Greens, a spicy combination of sauteed garlicky escarole, onions, proscuitto and hot peppers). Regional favorites make up about a third of the recipe list. KSGA's cookbook also differs from many community cookbooks by avoiding recipe duplication and only offering one version of any individual recipe.

Over a dozen vegetarian entree recipes are included, ranging from Vegetarian Lasagne to Moroccan Vegetable Cous Cous to Red and Black Bean Burritos. The more than 30 dessert recipes include cakes, cookies, candies, pies and sweet drinks.

For the food-loving pet owner, the highlight of this cook book is over 20 treat recipes aimed at dogs, cats and birds. Nutty Veggie Bird Bread, Minty Doggy Breath Bones and Kitty Pet-ty Fours are just a few of the pet treats included.

Successful community cookbooks set themselves apart from thousands of other cookbooks published each year by including unique recipes and unique approaches to food. KSGA's Comfort Food for Humans & Hounds strikes the right balance of popular recipes and central New York favorites. The candid photos of the greyhounds remind the reader that this is more than a cookbook. It's cooking for a cause that pays tribute to the group's adopted retired racing greyhounds.

April is National Greyhound Adoption month. Read more about the retired racing greyhounds available from Kindred Spirts Greyhound Adoption Inc. and their other activities at Syracuse Dog Training.

Cookbooks purchased directly from KSGA at their events ($15), and cookbooks ordered online from Lulu.com ($15 plus shipping charges for a paper copy or $5 for an electronic downloadable copy) give the group the same proceeds, all of which are applied directly to their foster dogs budget. Readers who can't get to a KSGA event to purchase a copy can order the cookbook online through the link to Lulu.com on the KSGA website.