Canine Cuisine … And More!

Recipes You And Your Pet Can Share

By Nikki Wilson

From low fat to organic to all natural, everyone is checking food labels these days. And why shouldn’t we? All natural is better for the environment, while organic may be our ticket out of the doctor’s office. Eating healthy, however, shouldn’t begin and end with just your body — what about the body of your beloved pet? If you care enough to sign, “Love, Fluffy” on your Christmas card, shouldn’t you also care what goes into your pet’s food dish?

The pet food scares in 2004, and again in 2007, left many pet owners afraid that chemicals and poisons were creeping into store-bought food. Safety aside, there’s always the issue of cost, too. Maybe it’s time to buy less and choose another route that will save you the worry, along with a few dollars — like making your own treats that not only taste good but are great for pups and people.

Below are five paw-licking recipes animals and people can share (I personally wouldn’t take a bite from the same cookie that Fido did, but I’ll leave that decision up to you). Many of the recipes are 10-minute, foolproof pet pleasers that are fresher and cheaper than many brand names on the shelves. All ingredients are pet-friendly and delicious. And feel free to lick the bottom of the doggie bowl … I mean, mixing bowl.

Recipes thanks to bullwrinkle.com.

Cinnamon Canine Clusters

• 1 large apple
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/8 cup whole wheat flour

Core, slice, and mince the apple. In a large bowl, combine the apple, honey, water, cinnamon, and oatmeal. Gradually blend in the wheat flour, adding enough to form a stiff dough.

In a separate bowl, add 1/8 cup of the wheat flour. Spoon the dough by rounded teaspoon onto ungreased baking sheet. Using the bottom of a glass dipped in the wheat flour (to prevent sticking), flatten each spoonful of dough into a circle. Adjust the size of the drops based on how big a treat you like to feed your dog — or yourself!

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and flip each cookie to brown evenly on both sides. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Return to oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Let cool. Makes about three dozen crunchy cookies.

Degree Of Difficulty:

(OK, maybe a 2. I’m just lazy).

Pup Pops

• 1 quart fruit juice
• 1 banana, mashed
• 1/2 cup yogurt

Mix ingredients together thoroughly, then freeze.

Degree Of Difficulty:

(So easy, in fact, that I may just make my cat do it.)

Frozen Peanut Butter Yogurt Treats

• 1-32 oz. container of vanilla yogurt
• 1 cup of smooth peanut butter (avoid crunchy peanut butter)

Heat the peanut butter in a bowl in the microwave until melted. Mix the yogurt into the melted peanut butter. Pour mixture into cupcake papers and freeze.

Degree Of Difficulty:

(Unless the peanut butter explodes in the microwave. Then upgrade difficulty to 3 for resulting clean up).

Bulldog Brownies

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup carob flour (powder)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Frosting:

• 12 oz. nonfat cream cheese
• 2 teaspoons honey

Mix shortening and honey together thoroughly. Add remaining ingredients. Beat well. Bake on a 10 x 15 greased cookie sheet for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool completely.

Blend together the frosting, and spread over cool brownies.

Degree Of Difficulty:

Cheese Biscuits

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/4 cups grated cheddar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 4 tablespoons of water

Mix all ingredients together, adding the water one tablespoon at a time to help bind the dough. When it begins to form a ball, roll it out on a floured surface. Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into various shapes and place on cookie sheet.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned. Makes about 30 medium-sized biscuits.

Degree Of Difficulty:

(You just have to watch for when the dough is right. I got distracted watching Ellen.) TCW