Home-Cooked Recipe for Charlie

This ≈9 lb batch provides ~50% protein, designed for a 65 lb, high-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 (Air Fryer)

1. Prep Ingredients. Wash all vegetables and herbs. Dice carrots, peel sweet potatoes, and trim green peas.
2. Cook the Protein. Heat the air fryer. Add coconut oil and let it melt. Add diced chicken in batches. Cook for 10–15 min until fully cooked. Remove from heat.
3. Cook Quinoa. 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. Cook Vegetables. Use the air fryer to cook sweet potatoes, carrots, and green peas until tender (≈15 min). 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

1. Cook the Chicken. In the electric pressure cooker, melt coconut oil. Cook diced chicken until fully cooked. Set aside.
2. Cook Quinoa in the 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. Cook carrots and green peas in the pressure cooker. 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.