Jayne's Home Cooking Tips

I. Purchasing of Ingredients - Cost saving tips

Purchase when on sale: i.e. Whole turkeys around Thanksgiving and Christmas, lamb at Easter.
Check per pound prices at box stores (Sam's Club, Costco, etc.)
Scratch and dent stores often have frozen meats at good prices.
Contact local slaughterhouse for "pet food mixes": Check ingredients carefully.
Dry beans can be purchased in bulk from box stores or health food stores.

Grains (i.e. rice, pastas, etc.) can be purchased in bulk from box stores or health food stores.
Vegetables: (i.e. potatoes, carrots, yams) these are generally inexpensive, but look for bulk item prices.
Dairy: look for bulk sized containers of yogurt, cottage cheese.
Eggs: If you are lucky to have an egg farm nearby, often you can get eggs cheaper.
If using all organic sources, talk to local farmers about buying larger quantities to save.
Fish: Bulk sizes of canned tuna or salmon/sardines or fresh/frozen fish from fish markets.

II. Cooking Utensils

If you have a small dog, a large crockpot will work well. Place all ingredients in per your recipe and the crockpot instructions for any stew-like meal and let it cook. This should give you a week's worth of food (**See below).
For larger dogs or multiple dog households, a large stock pot works well. I actually use a large stainless steel, heavy duty canning pot. This will hold a good size turkey.

A large colander for straining.
Freezer containers. Plastic empty yogurt containers work well for making individual portion servings. Small = ~ 1 cup. Medium = ~ 2 cups. Large =~ 4 cups. DO NOT FREEZE IN GLASS CONTAINERS. Use recycled containers whenever possible!
Wide mouthed funnel (canning funnel) for filling containers.
Large mixing bowl. I like to use stainless steel whenever possible.
Large soup ladle for filling containers.

III. Food Preparation Tips

Wash fowl meats as you would for human consumption. Most cuts of red meats or pork do not need to be washed.

Scrub root vegetables (carrots, potatoes, etc.) with a vegetable brush. No need to peel. Cut up into bite-sized pieces.
Wash all other vegetables as you would for your own consumption. Cut up vegetables into bite-sized pieces according to your pet's size.
Ground meats can be browned as a whole piece then broken up during the browning process or covered with water and brought to a boil breaking up as it cooks.
Large cuts of meat cut up into bite sized pieces according to dog's size.
Turkey, chicken, duck, etc. can be cooked whole or cut up into pieces.
If your pet needs to be on a lower fat diet, remove skin before cooking or skim fat layer off of broth after chilling. Use leaner cuts of meat (beef, pork, etc.).
Eggs can be hard or soft cooked.
Fish can be boiled or poached.
Add dairy (cottage cheese, yogurt) to a warm or cool meal, not a hot meal - may curdle.

III. Cooking

Place cut up or whole poultry, large cuts of meat in pot big enough to cover with water. (You may roast meats if you like, but be careful not to burn. Boiling makes de-boning easier. NEVER give your pet cooked bones. Soft fish bones found in canned salmon/sardines are OK.) Cook until done. Make sure poultry, pork and all ground meats are cooked thoroughly. Whole cuts of red meat may be a little under-done.
Strain/drain in large colander into large pot/bowl. Save broth!
Vegetables and grains can be cooked in the remaining broth. Cook vegetables first as some grains (rice, quinoa) will absorb water.
**If cooking a stew-like mixture of boneless meat, potatoes, vegetables, and non-water absorbing grains, they can all be cooked together in one large pot. MAKE SURE PROTEIN-VEGETABLE-CARB RATIO IS ACCURATE WHEN DOING THIS.

Always save broth. Most times you will have extra. This is good to keep on hand in case your pet needs additional fluid intake. Freeze separately as water content can influence food amount to be fed. For small dogs/cats, extra broth can be frozen in ice cube trays then stored in a freezer bag or container if you pet prefers a more liquid mixture or just to add for extra flavor. Also good for adding to fresh cooked meal that may be too hot.
Kerry's Cooking Tip Links

IV. Packaging and Freezing

Once you have all your ingredients cooked. In a separate bowl make a mixture according to your pet's needs (%Protein/%Vegetables/%Carbs). Mix well.
Distribute into containers for refrigeration/freezing. I don't keep food in refrigerator for more than 3 days.
Food can be defrosted in microwave, but do not microwave in plastic container. Place in a preferably glass microwave safe container for defrosting/warming. Food does not need to be heated—room temperature is fine.

V. Supplements and Oils

Check with Dr. Kruesi, or your veterinarian, what supplements and oils should be added just before serving. These should be added just before serving to retain potency.

From Jayne (CRVC receptionist) Cold River Veterinary Center

[www.crvetcenter.com]

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