Home-Cooked Recipe for Charlie

This ≈9 lb batch provides ~50% protein, gentle on stomachs for a 140 lb, low-activity Great Dane with bloat and heart disease.

Ingredients

• Protein (≈4.5 lbs; ~50%):
  • 4.5 lbs boneless Fresh Meat Beef, diced
• Fats:
  • 2 oz coconut oil
• Vegetables & Grains (≈4.5 lbs):
  • Carrots: 1.5 lbs
  • Green Peas: 1 lb
  • Sweet Potatoes: 1 lb
  • Quinoa: .5 lbs
  • Rice: .5 lbs
• Herbs:
  • 1 tsp ginger (aids digestion)
  • 1 tsp chamomile (soothes stomach)
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric (start with small amount and increase to recommended amount)

Daily Amount

• Feed approximately 2.8 - 4.2 pounds per day

Approach A – Stove & Oven (≈45 min)

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 ground beef in batches. Cook for 7–10 min until fully browned. Remove from heat.
3. Boil Grains. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to boil. Stir in 1 cup of quinoa and .5 cup of rice. 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 beef, quinoa, rice, and vegetables. Add 1 tsp ginger, 1 tsp chamomile, and 1/4 tsp turmeric. 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 Beef. In a skillet, melt coconut oil. Cook ground beef in batches until browned and fully cooked. Set aside.
2. Steam the rice and 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 rice, quinoa, beef, 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.