Do all dogs love peanut butter?
During this time of self-quarantine, national news has reported a surge in baking, and not-surprisingly, home cooking. It seems somehow appropriate to pamper those around us we love. That includes our furry, four legged love-buddies. Anyone who has a dog knows treats can compel a dog to sit, return a cell phone he or she has taken for a wide run in the back yard or nuzzle one’s waist in complete conviction you are two—not one—against the forces that cause sleepless nights.
Below are two quick and fun ideas for dog cookies. They may also be good for cats, but that species’ likes and dislikes is a mystery. The ingredients are basic, but substitutions won’t spoil the appeal to your tail-wagging chum. There are some caveats, however. Don’t include onion, grapes or chocolate in any formulation; all are known no-no’s for our furry friends. The parsley and/or mint are a secret breath freshener.
After you roll these out, cutting them into cute dogbone shapes may make you feel creative but the brown eyes of your Lassie could not care less if the treats end up round, square, diamond shaped or free-form. Adjust the size of the treats to the size of commercial cookies your friend prefers. Increase or decrease baking time a few minutes to accommodate. At the end, there is a bonus treat that requires no baking at all. Have fun and accept all licks.
#1 Peanut butter banana bars
2 bananas, peeled
1½ cups combination flour (oat, whole-wheat, almond, AP, etc.)
1½ cups rolled oats (old fashion or quick OK)
1 cup dry or 1½ cup fresh parsley, rinsed, chopped and rung dry
6 T (3/4 cup) peanut butter
2 eggs, beaten
#2 Sweet potato apple treats
1½ cup cooked sweet potato (about 2 medium potatoes)
½-¾ cup broth or water
3 cups flour (any variety or combination)
1½ cups cornmeal
½ cup mint, rinsed, chopped, dried
Two apples, firm, such as Granny Smith, peeled, grated
Procedure for either
1. Preheat oven 300-325 degrees
2. In mixer bowl, blend all ingredients on low speed. If no mixer, mash banana (or sweet potato) in large bowl, then combine remaining ingredients. Knead mixture a few times until it holds together.
3. Refrigerate for about hour or overnight.
4. Form cookies one of two ways
- Roll into ½-1 oz. balls; place on parchment or Silpat lined baking pan. Flatten; a measuring cup works well for this.
- Roll 1/3-1/2 dough on well- floured surface, about ¼ inch thick; cut into rectangles, squares or use 2-4 inch cookie cutters
5. Bake on lower rack of oven, about 35-45 minutes, until firm and golden. Turn off oven; leave door ajar and allow treats to cool and thoroughly dry, about 1-2 hours.
Quick green bean treat
Put green beans in freezer; or buy frozen (cut) green beans).
Feed to dog while still frozen. Really; dogs love them
This trick/treat was told to me by one of the world’s great dog handlers.
Susan Delbert is the National Press Club executive chef. She oversees the Club's catering and two restaurants, the Fourth Estate and the Reliable Source.