Home-Cooked Recipe for Charlie

This ≈9 lb batch provides ~50% protein, suitable for a 7 lb, high-activity Yorkshire Terrier with collapsed trachea and dental issues.

Ingredients

• Protein (≈4.5 lbs; ~50%):
  • 4.5 lbs lean ground beef
• Fats:
  • 2 oz coconut oil
• Vegetables & Grains (≈4.5 lbs):
  • Carrots: 1 lb
  • Green Peas: 1 lb
  • Sweet Potatoes: 1 lb
  • Quinoa: 1 lb
  • Rice: 0.5 lb
• Herbs:
  • 1 tsp turmeric (start with small amount and increase to this recommended amount)
  • 1 tsp parsley (helps with bad breath)

Daily Feeding Amounts

• Feed approximately .14-.21 pounds per day

Nutritional Information (Daily Feeding Amount: ≈63.5-95.25g or .14-.21 lbs)

• Fiber: ≈2g
• Fat: ≈10g
• Protein: ≈25g
• Calories: ≈300 kcal

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 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. Cook 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. 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 beef, quinoa, rice, and vegetables. Add 1 tsp turmeric and 1 tsp parsley. 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. Cook 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. 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 rice, 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.