Home-Cooked Recipe for Charlie

This ≈9 lb batch provides ~50% protein, suitable for a 24 lb, high-activity Basenji with Fanconi syndrome.

Ingredients

• Protein (≈4.5 lbs; ~50%):
  • 4.5 lbs boneless Chicken, diced
• Fats:
  • 2 oz coconut oil
• Vegetables & Grains (≈4.5 lbs):
  • Carrots: 1.5 lbs
  • Green Peas: 1 lb
  • Sweet Potatoes: 1 lb
  • Quinoa: 1 lb
• Herbs:
  • 1 tsp ginger (aids digestion)
  • 1 tsp chamomile (soothes stomach)

Daily Amount

• Feed approximately .5-.75 pounds per day

Approach A – Air Fryer (≈45 min)

1. Prep Ingredients. Wash all vegetables and herbs. Dice carrots, peel sweet potatoes, and trim green peas.
2. Cook the Protein. Heat air fryer to 360°F. Add diced chicken in batches. Cook for 10–15 min until fully cooked. Remove from heat.
3. Boil Grains. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to boil. Stir in 1 cup of quinoa. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Fluff and cool.
4. Steam Vegetables. Use a steamer basket or pot to steam sweet potatoes, carrots, and green peas until tender (≈15 min). Drain and cool.
5. Combine & Mix. In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, quinoa, and vegetables. Add 1 tsp ginger and 1 tsp chamomile. Drizzle with coconut oil and mix well.
6. Portion & Store. Let cool. Store in airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Approach B – Specialized Equipment (≈35 min)

1. Cook the Chicken. In the electric pressure cooker, cook diced chicken until fully cooked. Set aside.
2. Cook quinoa using a rice cooker.
3. Cook sweet potatoes in the electric pressure cooker. Wash and submerge whole. Cook on high for 15 minutes. Cool and peel.
4. Steam vegetables in the pressure cooker. Layer carrots and green peas. Cook on high for 15 minutes. Drain and cool.
5. Combine all ingredients in a stand mixer bowl. Add quinoa, chicken, peeled sweet potatoes, and vegetables. Mix until consistent.
6. Transfer into food storage containers. Refrigerate for 3–4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Recommended Protein Guidelines

AAFCO recommends ≥18% crude protein for adult maintenance. This recipe provides ~50% protein. Protein content is high but dogs like meat.