REcipe #8: Veggie-lovin’ Muffins

Category: Breakfast
Serves: 12 muffins
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:
480 ml (2 cups) shredded carrots
1 shredded apple
100 ml (1/3 cup) molasses
250 ml (1 cup) bran
60 ml (1/4 cup) water
200 ml (3/4 cup) whole wheat flour
60 ml (1/4 cup) dry oatmeal

Preparation and cooking
Combine all ingredients thoroughly – if the consistency is too liquidy, add more flour or oatmeal until the mixture becomes doughy. Spoon into muffin tins (lined or unlined) and bake for 30 minutes at 200ºC (400ºF) or until browned.

Recipe#7: Beagle Bagels

Category: Breakfast
Serves: 6 Bagels
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: Varies

Ingredients:
6-pack supermarket bagels

Preparation and cooking
If the bagels are frozen, thaw them in the microwave prior to drying. There are several ways of achieving the proper consistency for beagle bagels, which, of course, is rock solid chewable goodness.

Oven: Set the oven to a low temperature, preferably 90ºC (200ºF) or below. Place the bagels on a sheet of foil in the middle of the oven and allow to bake. Check the bagels periodically as they can take up to six hours to dry sufficiently, depending upon the freshness of the bagels when you begin. Once they seem solid, place on a rack to cool for an hour before giving to the dogs.

Air: This is the easiest of the three drying methods but also takes the longest. Set the bagels on a sheet of wax paper or foil in an area with good circulation. The top of the fridge often works well as it is closer to ceiling vents. Leave the bagels to dry for several days, checking their consistency daily. Depending upon the freshness of the bagels when you began, they may take up to two weeks to dry completely.
Microwave: After thawing any frozen bagels, continue cooking them in the microwave for extended periods of time at a low heat level (40% or less). Check the bagels every 10 minutes for consistency, but keep in mind that even the microwave can take up to an hour to dry the bagels sufficiently.

Don’t worry about airtight containers for leftovers – the open air just helps to dry them out a bit more!

Recipe #6: Banana Biscotti

Category: Breakfast
Serves: 3 dozen cookies
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients
Biscotti base
150 ml (1/2 cup) mashed bananas
60 ml (1/4 cup) peanuts

Prepare biscotti base dough as specified, then mix in banana puree. Separate peanuts in half, and fold gradually into the mixture. Bake cookies according to biscotti base recipe and cool. Fun variation: After the first round of baking, press some halved peanuts, almonds, and pine nuts into the top of the cookies in fun puppy-oriented designs. They’ll love the extra crunchiness!

Recipes #5: Punkin’ Biscotti

Category: Breakfast
Serves: 3 dozen cookies
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients
Biscotti base
150 ml (1/2 cup) pumpkin puree

Preparation and cooking
Prepare biscotti base dough as specified, then mix in pumpkin puree. For a little extra pungency, add some nutmeg and cinnamon. Bake cookies according to biscotti base recipe and cool.

Recipe #4: Trail Mix Biscotti

Category: Breakfast
Serves: 3 dozen cookies
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

Biscotti Base
20 ml (1 1/2 T) sunflower oil
20 ml (1 1/2 T) honey
250 ml (1 cup) oatmeal

Preparation and cooking

Spread oatmeal on microwave-safe shallow dish. Microwave oil and honey on high for 30 seconds, then pour over oatmeal and stir until completely combined. Microwave on high for 7 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. Let cool. Prepare biscotti base dough and slowly fold in trail mix. Bake according to biscotti base instructions, paying close attention to oats to prevent burning.

Recipe #3: Almond Biscotti

Category: Breakfast
Preparation Time: 35 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

Biscotti base
150 ml (1/2 cup) whole almonds

Preparation and cooking:

Before making biscotti dough, toast almonds in a shallow pan for 9 minutes at 160ºC (325ºF). Allow nuts to cool, then divide into thirds and add to dough gradually for thorough mixing. Follow baking instructions for biscotti base.

Recipe #2: Biscotti Base

Category: Breakfast
Serves: 3 dozen cookies
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:
100 ml (1/3 cup) unsalted butter
200 ml (3/4 cup) sugar
2 eggs
10 ml (2 tsp) grated orange zest
530 ml (2 1/4 cups) whole wheat flour
10 ml (1 1/2 tsp) baking powder
1 ml (1/4 tsp) salt

Preparation & Cooking Cream the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until fluffy. Add eggs and orange zest. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in separate bowl, then beat into the butter mixture.

For plain biscotti cookies: Divide the dough in half and form two logs on cookie sheet, each measuring 1/2” thick, 1 1/2” wide, and 12 inches long. Space two inches apart and bake at 160ºC (325ºF) for 25 minutes (or until golden). Let cool for five minutes, then cut ½” wide slices at 45 degree angles. Bake for 5 minutes, turn cookies over, then bake for another 5 minutes. Let cool.

Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Before you follow recipes, you should be aware of what to avoid when cooking for your dog:

• Chocolate
• Chicken bones
• Raw meat and/or eggs
• Excessive amounts of protein
• Beans or bean derivatives (including soy)
• Pork
• Onions
• Chicken bones
• Dairy products esp. with pre-existing stomach problems
• Organ meats more than twice/week

This table isn’t exhaustive, but it’ll give you an at-a-glance tool to keep handy if you decide to invent your own recipes or modify some of those in the book. Now remember – have fun! You’re cooking for your dog, for goodness’ sake.

Recipe #1: Oinkers and Omelette

Category: Breakfast

Serves: 8
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

3 eggs
8 mini turkey sausages
1 package refrigerated crescent rolls

Preparation & Cooking:

Unroll crescent dough and separate into 8 rectangles on a greased cookie sheet. Cook eggs for 3 minutes in microwave-safe bowl, stirring each minute. When eggs are done, scoop small spoonfuls into the centre of each crescent rectangle. Top with a turkey sausage. Fold remaining crescent dough over eggs and sausage to make neat package, OR bundle excess dough and flare edges to create small “sacks” of goodies. Bake according to crescent roll instructions and allow to cool thoroughly.

Store extras in the refrigerator until your pup is ready to eat them (but don’t ask him – he’ll always be ready to eat them).

Quick Tips:

The crescent rolls in these snacks package the eggs and sausage in a small, easy-to-handle treat. These are so neat and tidy you can zip them in a baggie and take them to the dog park for a protein burst.