Home-Cooked Recipe for Charlie

This ≈9 lb batch provides ~50% protein, designed for a 65 lb, low-activity Labrador Retriever with hip dysplasia and obesity.

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 turmeric (aids hip dysplasia)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (helps with obesity)

Daily Amount

• Feed approximately 1.3-1.95 pounds per day

Approach A – User Equipment

1. Prep Ingredients. Wash all vegetables and herbs. Dice carrots, peel sweet potatoes, and trim green peas.
2. Cook the Protein. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add coconut oil and let it melt. Add diced chicken in batches. Cook for 7–10 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 turmeric and 1 tsp cinnamon. Drizzle with remaining 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 a skillet, melt coconut oil. Cook diced chicken in batches until fully cooked. Set aside.
2. Steam the quinoa using a rice cooker.
3. Cook sweet potatoes in an 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.