Crockpot Doggy Stew (for dogs, not made from them!)

Dogs are expensive, especially when we treat them like family.  Maybe one day we'll have kids, but for now, Doc the Basset-y Beagle is our little boy.  We also have a niece doggie, Misha, my brother's German Shepherd.  

Now, Doc is really food-motivated, like his parents, and Misha can pretty much eat a house.  When we adopted Doc, we bought food from the shelter - Fromm's.  After all those pet deaths due to food manufactured in China, I'm pretty skittish of the typical major labels, like Purina or Pedigree.  I prefer organic or holistic food made on this side of the pond, like Fromm's, which Doc likes and is easy on his tummy.  But even with the shelter discount, it's still a nice chunk of change.  


In this financial quandary, I thought about how much most pups love to eat "people food."  Misha will walk away from her canned steak dinner if my brother's eating an actual steak.  She knows the canned stuff is crap.  Plus, making an extra trip to Petsmart & lugging it all home is a hassle - especially when you suddenly remember you're out!  Why don't I just make some?




Doggy Stew


2lbs lean ground turkey
2 1/2 cups uncooked brown rice OR 2 cups steel-cut oats
1 can peas & carrots
1 can peas
1 can green beans
1/2 cup parmesan (the powdery kind you keep in the fridge, like Kraft)
2 tsps garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbs Italian seasoning (mix of oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme)
Chicken broth, just enough to cover the grains (I used broth I'd frozen into cubes and water) 

1. In crock pot on low heat, dump the ground turkey (try to break it up as much as possible), pour the uncooked rice on top of that, and cover with chicken broth (I use bouillion and water).  Cook for 6 - 8 hours or until rice or oats are done.  Stir every 90 mins or so to avoid scorching.
2. Turn off heat and sprinkle parmesan, spices, and canned veggies (drained!)
3. Mix well, let cool, and place in airtight containers.  


*Warning: this looks pretty gross and doesn't smell so great - "vomit" is usually the word used to describe it.  However, the dogs love it and that's what counts. 

I split this into 2 containers; one will feed Misha for a week and the other will feed Doc for about 12 days.  This recipe can also be frozen for up to 2 weeks.  Doc gets about 1/2 cup of stew and a few tablespoons of either the Fromm's dry food or lowfat cottage cheese mixed in for breakfast and supper.  Misha has a cup of stew and a cup of dry for both meals.  Both the pups will chase their bowls around trying to eat every last bit! Plus, there's no stopping at a special pet store to get food!