Turmeric and Pilchard Bake

This is a great recipe for senior dogs, those that prefer soft treats or very active dogs that will benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric.

There is also a recipe on how to make your own golden paste and a blog on what to look for when choosing turmeric.

To make the treats you will need:

Tin Pilchards 420g tin in tomato sauce or spring water (avoid the ones in oil)
Turmeric paste or powder- 1 tablespoon
2 cups Flour of choice (I used a combo of Gram & Buckwheat)
2 free range eggs
Quarter cup of gluten free jumbo oats/oatmeal or cooked Quinoa
Apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon
Sprinkle of flax or chia seeds

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and add just enough water to make it spreadable in the base of a baking tray, which is best lined with baking paper. Level the ingredients out so it is a consistent thickness to allow for even baking.
Place the tray in a preheated oven at 180c for around 30 mins or until cooked but still springy & soft. Allow to cool slightly and then cut to an appropriate size for you dog.

Once thoroughly cold, store in an airtight container in the fridge and use within 7 days or put in the freezer and take out what you need each day.

Sweet Potato Bites

These tasty treats take no time to prepare and will keep in the fridge for up to seven days.

Sweet potato is a member of the bindweed family and provides a good source of fibre and the antioxidant Beta-carotene.  

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked, drained & mashed sweet potato.

Half a cup of coconut flour plus a little extra for dusting.

1 level teaspoon of melted coconut oil

Half a teaspoon of Greens, Seeds & Superfoods, or finely chopped parsley (fresh or dried)

Half a teaspoon of nutter butter (Pip & Nut do a great range which are palm oil & xylitol free)

Half a teaspoon of chia seeds

How to make:

Place all the ingredients into a bowl, and thoroughly stir until they are combined.

With a spoon, scoop out an amount that is a suitable size for your dog. If you make larger ones, they can easily be broken up after chilling.

Roll the mixture in the palm of your hand until it forms a ball, use a light dusting of flour if necessary.

Place in the fridge to set for 1 hour before serving.

Keep in the fridge and use within 7 days. They also freeze well and are best used within 4 months.

Caroline Hearn ~ Hedgerow Hounds

Tranquil Calming Treats

Make your own calming treats for when your dog needs a little more emotional support and perfect for a bedtime nibble.

You will need:

2 Level tablespoons of Hedgerow Hounds Tranquil blend or 2 chamomile teabags

250g Flour of choice and a little extra for dusting

125g Gluten free porridge oats

1 cup of Oat, Coconut or Goats milk

1 beaten egg (free range)

1 level teaspoon of Chia seeds

Optional 1 level teaspoon of Almond nut butter (must be xylitol and palm oil free) Pip & Nut is great

Baking tray and rolling pin

Coconut oil for lightly greasing the tray or baking parchment

How to make:

Place the Tranquil blend or tear open the Chamomile tea bags, into the flour, with the beaten egg, oats, nut butter and chia seeds. Gradually add in the milk, while stirring, until a dough starts to form.

Knead and bring the dough together to form a ball.

Lightly dust the surface and rolling pin and roll out the dough to an even thickness.

With your favourite cookie cutter shapes, cut out and place onto the baking tray which is either lightly oiled or preferably lined with baking parchment.

Re-knead the dough and roll out again to use the dough up, if necessary.

Place on the middle shelf of a preheated oven 180c (160c for fan oven) for approximately 15-20 mins until lightly golden in colour. Cooking time depends on how thick you have made your treats.

Remove from the oven and leave to cool on the tray or place on a wire rack.

When completely cold transfer into airtight containers.

Use within 2 weeks or freeze for approx. one month

www.hedgerowhounds.co.uk

Gelatine Treats

Gelatine is a colourless, flavourless, gelatinous substance derived from collagen, which is a protein found in great abundance in the body.

Gelatine is often used to additionally support arthritic conditions and to ease intestinal complaints. Glycine is an amino acid which occurs in gelatine and helps strengthen the gut lining and reduce inflammation and is believed to assist in the healing of leaky gut.

When using gelatine avoid coloured, flavoured, or sweetened varieties and instead go for the plain, grass fed versions. I used Great Lakes beef collagen but there are other brands available.

You will need:

One 12g sachet of gelatine granules or use 2 heaped tablespoons of loose powder.

550ml Water (you can also use coconut water or bone broth)

7 Tablespoons of hot water

2 measuring jugs

Flexible silicone mould of choice

One level teaspoon of your chosen Hedgerow Hounds blend. Here I used Golden Years in one batch and Greens, Seeds & Superfoods in another.

How to make:

Into a measuring jug add 7 tablespoons of hot water, tip in the gelatine, whisking with a fork until the granules dissolve, then pour on the remaining water and stir well.

*Always add the gelatine to the liquid and not the other way round*

Add your chosen herbs and pour into the silicon moulds.

Chill in the fridge for 3-4 hours and when set, gently remove from the moulds.

These treats can easily be cut to a size which is suitable for your dog and are soft enough for elderly dogs with dental problems to enjoy.

They will keep for up to 7 days in the fridge.

Fresh Breath Treats

Mint, parsley & fennel are a great choice for this fresh breath treat recipe.

This recipe uses fresh herbs, which hopefully you`ll have growing in the garden. Dried herbs can also be used to replace one or all of the ingredients.

250g Buckwheat or Spelt Flour

Half a dessert spoon of softened coconut oil

If using fresh herbs, they need to be finely chopped before adding to the flour.

Parsley - fresh or dried, approximately 1 dessert spoon

Mint -    fresh or dried, approximately 1 dessert spoon

Fennel - fresh or dried, approx. 1 dessert spoon

1 medium free-range egg- beaten

Half a small, grated apple

An optional quarter teaspoon of fennel seeds

50ml water

Baking tray

Rolling pin

A cookie cutter that is appropriate to your dog’s size.

Baking parchment to line the tray

 How to:

Pre-heat your oven to 180c/ Fan 160c or Gas 4

Place the flour, seeds (if using), and finely chopped herbs into a large bowl and stir together. Add the softened coconut oil, beaten egg, and grated apple, and stir while slowly adding the water until the mixture forms a dough. Add a little more water if necessary. Knead for 2 minutes, then place the dough on a lightly floured surface.

Roll out to an even thickness, around a quarter of an inch thick. Then cut out with your chosen shaped cutter and put onto a baking tray, which is lined with baking parchment.

Place onto the middle shelf of a preheated oven and bake for around 20 minutes or until lightly golden. Lift out of the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack.

The treats must be completely cold before storing in an airtight container, or they will go mouldy. Use within 2 weeks, or alternatively, freeze and take out what you need each day. Frozen treats will need to be used within 4 months.

 Caroline Hearn - Hedgerow Hounds