Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
APPLES & PEANUT BUTTER
Apples are a great, healthy snack for your four-legged friend. They contain vitamins A and C along with fiber, and they're also reported to help clean your dog's teeth and freshen his breath!
Ingredients
FOR BOTH
2 medium apples, your favorite variety
¾ cup peanut butter
Preparation
1. Peel the apples. It's okay if your dog eats apple peels, but long pieces can be choking hazards so it's just safer to peel the apples before serving.
2. Slice the apples and discard all seeds and hard flesh close to the core.
FOR HUMANS
1. Serve 1½ apples' worth of slices on a plate with a side of peanut butter for dipping.
FOR DOGS
1. Your dog will likely enjoy the apples without the peanut butter, but if you're looking to really treat him, smear a bit of peanut butter across the remaining apple slices.
2. Chop into bite-size pieces and serve.
"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."
— Roger Caras
Why are dogs' ears so expressive? They have over a dozen muscles controlling their movements, giving them plenty of options!
CHICKEN SOUP WITH CARROTS
Your pup always comforts you when you're sick, so why not reward Dr. Dog with some of your chicken noodle soup?
Ingredients
FOR BOTH
6 cups chicken broth, made from chicken bouillon*
1 small bundle fresh parsley, tied (about ten stems)
1 pound chicken (your favorite parts), chopped
1 cup chopped carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
½cup heavy cream
FOR HUMANS
1 cup egg noodles, cooked (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
1. Heat water and chicken bouillon* over medium-high heat until the bouillon is fully dissolved.
2. Set aside two stems of parsley. Add the rest to the pot (still tied), along with the chopped chicken, and cook for 8 minutes.
3. Add the carrots and cook for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Remove the tied parsley from the pot and discard. Chop the leaves of the two reserved parsley stems and add to the pot.
5. Add the heavy cream, stir, and serve!
FOR HUMANS
1. Add the noodles to your own bowl if you're using them. These add little to no nutritional value for doggy, so they're just for you!
2. Add salt and pepper as desired.
FOR DOGS
1. Ladle about one cup of soup into a small bowl and let it cool before serving.
Some dogs have been trained to detect the onset of seizures in humans while others are able to detect drops in human insulin levels.
"The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue."
— Unknown
Yes, your dog's paws do smell like corn chips. It's the result of their sweat mixing with all the microorganisms they pick up from the ground. Not as cute as you thought!
DELI ROLLUPS
These simple snacks take little effort and are just as delicious to doggy as they are to you! Feel free to use your favorite lean deli meats instead of what's suggested below, but don't let doggy have any that are seasoned.
Ingredients
FOR BOTH
1 cup basil leaves
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup olive oil
4 slices lean turkey breast
4 slices lean chicken breast
4 slices lean ham
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
Preparation
Before you start: Be sure your cream cheese is soft (room temperature) or it'll tear your meats. To speed up the process, microwave the cream cheese for 20 seconds. If it's still too hard to spread easily, repeat for 5 seconds at a time until it's ready!
FOR BOTH
1. Prepare a pesto spread by blending the basil and Parmesan cheese in a food processor and slowly adding the oil while the machine is on.
2. Stack two slices of each meat in pairs (e.g., two stacks of turkey on turkey) until you have six stacks (two of each meat).
3. Spread the cream cheese, pesto, or both on the meats. (If your pesto is runny, you'll need a layer of cream cheese underneath to hold it all together.)
4. Roll the meats into tight logs.
FOR DOGS
1. Slice a couple wheels of each rollup for puppy.
Characteristics a dog can determine by smelling another dog's markings: gender, age, health, and mood.
"Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses."
— Elizabeth Taylor
In a study, 7 out of 10 Australians reported that their dogs were more dependable than their partners.
REAL POPCORN (WITH PEANUT BUTTER)
Popcorn is a delicious human treat that has been around for centuries, and real popcorn can be enjoyed by your dog, too! Skip packaged, microwaveable popcorn, which is full of questionable ingredients. You'd be better off without this product yourself, but your dog definitely shouldn't have it. Buy kernels and make this snack on the stovetop. It's so simple and delicious, you'll wonder why you haven't been doing it all along!
Ingredients
FOR BOTH
3 Tablespoons peanut oil (or any oil with a high smoke point, like canola oil)
1/3 cup corn kernels
FOR HUMANS
2–3 Tablespoons butter Seasonings, your favorites (see suggestions on the next page)
FOR DOGS
Tablespoon peanut butter, optional
Preparation
1. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add a few test kernels and cover.
3. When the test kernels pop, remove the pan from the heat and add the remaining kernels. Wait thirty seconds, then return the pan to the heat and cover. When the kernels begin popping, tilt the lid slightly to allow steam to escape.
4. Shake the pan gently while the kernels pop. This process will be quick, as the kernels should all pop together.
5. Remove to a large serving bowl. Set aside a very small handful for puppy.
FOR HUMANS
1. Microwave the butter for 10–15 seconds to melt. Add seasonings, and allow to cool for at least one minute (or your popcorn will shrivel from the hot butter). Then pour the mixture over popcorn and toss gently.
FOR DOGS
1. Do not butter or salt your dog's popcorn at all! Most seasonings are neither safe nor interesting to dogs, so save them all for yourself. However, if you're feeling extra indulgent and don't mind cleaning up a (potential) small mess, mix peanut butter into your pup's popcorn before tossing it in her bowl.
The most common dog name is Max.
"The pug is living proof that God has a sense of humor."
— Margot Kaufman
Dogs interpret smiles as acts of aggression, not acts of love ... if the teeth are visible.
STEAMED GREEN BEANS
Green beans are recommended by the ASPCA as a safe snack for dogs, especially useful as a substitute for unhealthy packaged treats. If you have a treat lover who needs to shed a few pounds, green beans are an excellent alternative snack. Like other treats, don't overdo the portions with green bean treats — just a few will do!
Ingredients
FOR BOTH
1 large handful or fresh green beans
FOR HUMANS
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
3–4 garlic cloves, sliced thin (or more if you love garlic!)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice Coarse ground sea salt
Preparation
1. Rinse the green beans and pat them dry with a paper towel. Trim the hard edges and stems with a knife or kitchen scissors.
2. Bring water to a boil in a steamer. Add the green beans and steam for 5 minutes until tender but not completely limp. Remove them from the steamer and cool, uncovered. Set aside 4–5 beans (3–4 if they are particularly long) for your dog.
FOR HUMANS
1. While the beans are cooling, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat, then sauté the sliced garlic until lightly browned, about 2–3 minutes.
2. Add the beans to the pan and reheat with the garlic.
3. Remove the beans and garlic to a small bowl and toss in the olive oil.
4. Add the lemon juice and toss again.
5. Sprinkle with sea salt.
FOR DOGS
1. Your dog's beans are healthiest completely undressed. If they are large/long, cut them in half before serving.
All puppies are born blind, deaf, and toothless!
"Dogs are better than humans because they know but do not tell."
— Emily Dickinson
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher."
— Plato
SWEET POTATO FRIES Sweet potatoes are good for your dog and better for you than white potatoes, so treat yourselves to French fries with this healthier alternative!
Ingredients
FOR BOTH
3 medium sweet potatoes
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
FOR HUMANS
2 teaspoons seasonings, your favorites (see suggestions on the next page)
Preparation
1. Preheat the oven to 450ºF.
2. Peel the sweet potatoes and chop them into French fry sticks of even thickness (for even cooking).
3. Toss the sticks in a sealable bag with the olive oil and cornstarch until lightly coated. Remove a small handful of sticks and set them aside. These are for pup, so don't add seasonings to them.
4. Season the remaining sticks with your favorite seasonings — these are for you, so add anything you love!
5. Spread the sticks on a nonstick baking sheet, keeping pup's portion separate so they don't get mixed up.
6. Bake about 30 minutes, flipping the sticks halfway through baking. They should be less bright and shiny than fresh cut sweet potatoes — and have a nice crunch.
FOR HUMANS
1. Serve with your favorite dipping condiments.
FOR DOGS
1. Allow the fries to cool a bit toward room temperature, chop them into bite-size pieces, and serve them plain. Your dog doesn't need the excess sugar found in condiments, and he won't care about the toppings anyway!
Did you ever walk into a room and forget why you walked in? I think that is how dogs spend their lives."
— Sue Murphy
CHAPTER 2
BRUNCH
FRIED EGGS & HAM
A protein-packed breakfast for a busy day of lots of play!
Ingredients
FOR BOTH
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 ham steak
1 Tablespoon butter
3 eggs
FOR HUMANS
Maple syrup and hot sauce, optional Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
1. Heat the vegetable oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add the ham steak to the oil and cook two minutes; flip and repeat until steak is lightly browned and finished (if you're using a meat thermometer, the ham steak should reach 145ºF). Total cooking time should be about 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the steak. Remove to a plate.
3. In a medium pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Reduce heat to the lowest possible setting when the butter is melted but not yet crackling or browning.
4. Crack the eggs into a bowl, then slide them gently into the melted butter. Cover and cook until the whites appear creamy white and the yolks just start to become firm around the edges, approximately 4–5 minutes.
FOR DOGS
1. Top a small piece of ham steak with one fried egg and chop into pup-size bites.
2. The dish should be cool enough to serve immediately, but test it with the back of your finger first. Allow it to cool an extra minute if it's still hot.
FOR HUMANS
1. Top your serving of ham steak with hot maple syrup, if desired (just heat some up in the microwave for ten seconds!).
2. Add two fried eggs, and top with salt, pepper, and a dash of hot sauce, if desired.
"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies."
— Gene Hill
"Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished."
— Dean Koontz
Dogs can recognize a person by the sound of their footsteps.
FRUIT SALAD
Ingredients*
FOR BOTH
Strawberries Bananas Apples, no seeds Blueberries Watermelon, no seeds Honey
Preparation
1. Chop your chosen fruits to your desired size.
2. Add all of the fruits to a mixing bowl and toss.
FOR DOGS
1. Remove doggy's portion of fruit and chop it further if you left some fruits large. Your dog can bite through all of these, but it doesn't hurt to give her a hand.
2. Drizzle a small bit of honey over doggy's portion and serve.
FOR HUMANS
1. Drizzle some honey on top of the remaining salad and toss to coat fruits. Don't overdo it — just enough for a little glisten, not a sticky glop!
"Dogs are our link to paradise."
— Milan Kundera
Rin Tin Tin signed all of his Hollywood contracts with his paw print. He also has a star on the Walk of Fame.
"If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience."
— Woodrow Wilson
OATMEAL WITH BERRIES
Steel cut oats take longer to cook than the more common rolled oats, but the thicker texture and potential health benefits make them worth the wait. Experiment with the water ratio to create thicker or creamier outcomes until you find your favorite!
Ingredients
FOR BOTH
1 cup steel cut oats
3 cups water Handful of blueberries and strawberries
FOR HUMANS
Maple syrup Cinnamon Other berries, if preferred Crushed walnuts, if desired
Preparation
1. Add the oats and water to a small pot and bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat.
2. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
3. When the oats are finished, remove any film that may have formed over the surface, and stir.
FOR DOGS
1. Chop a few blueberries and a strawberry, and add to about ½ cup of cooled oatmeal in a small bowl.
FOR HUMANS
1. Add maple syrup and a healthy amount of cinnamon to your serving, and mix thoroughly.
2. Top with a layer of cinnamon, a handful of berries, and crushed walnuts if desired.
Dalmatian puppies are born purely white before developing their trademark spots.
"A person who has never owned a dog has missed a wonderful part of life."
— Bob Barker
In the United States, nearly 1 million dogs have been named as primary beneficiaries in their owners' wills.
SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH RICE
Ingredients
FOR BOTH
6 eggs
1 Tablespoon butter
1/3 cup cooked rice
FOR HUMANS
¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
1. Beat the eggs in a small mixing bowl.
2. Melt the butter in a small frying pan over medium-high heat.
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and add the eggs and rice, spreading the rice evenly.
4. Cook slowly over low heat, stirring in small circles often, preferably with a whisk.
5. When the eggs are almost the consistency you prefer, remove the pan from the flame, separate two thirds of the eggs in the pan, and add the shredded cheese to this portion. Remove the eggs from the pan immediately, keeping the two portions separated. (The cheese will melt as the eggs finish cooking off the flame.)
FOR HUMANS
1. To the cheesy eggs, add salt and pepper to taste. Not only shouldn't you add this to doggy's portion at all, you should never add salt to eggs until they're finished anyway, or they'll dry out.
FOR DOGS
1. Allow to cool before serving.
The flap of a dog's ear is called the leather.
SPINACH & FETA FRITTATA
Frittatas can be made with just about any ingredients baked among eggs. Once you master the frittata, have fun experimenting with different ingredients for yourself, but this delicious recipe is safe to share with your furry friend, too!
Ingredients
FOR BOTH
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 cups fresh spinach, ribboned
8 eggs
1 Tablespoon dried basil
1 Tablespoon butter
¾ cup crumbled feta
FOR HUMANS
Basil leaves for garnish Salt and pepper
Preparation
FOR BOTH
1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
2. Heat the olive oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add the spinach and stir constantly until it begins to turn bright green and starts to wilt, about 2 minutes. Remove to a plate.
4. Beat the eggs in a medium mixing bowl and add dried basil, stirring to combine.
5. Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat, increase the heat to medium-high, and add the eggs to the pan.
6. Distribute the spinach and feta evenly throughout the pan, and cook until the edge of the eggs begins to solidify, about 2–3 minutes.
7. Add whole basil leaves to the parts you will eat, and leave the dog's portion unadorned. While placing, keep in mind the finished product will be cut like a pizza.
8. Transfer the pan* to the center rack of the oven, and cook 10–12 minutes, until the egg reaches a puffy texture. It's fine to cook this a few minutes shorter or longer if you have strong egg-consistency preferences.
9. Remove it from the oven, transfer it to a cutting surface, and slice it like a pizza.
FOR DOGS
1. Cut your dog's portion into tiny bite-size pieces and allow it to cool before serving. Remember to serve him pieces without whole basil leaves on top! (Basil is okay for pups, but whole pieces are a potential choking hazard.)
"No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich."
— Louis Sabin
"There is honor in being a dog."
— Aristotle
The name "Fido" comes from the Latin word for "fidelity."
SWEET POTATO OMELET
Ingredients
FOR BOTH
1 cup finely diced sweet potato
1 Tablespoon + 1 Tablespoon butter, divided
6 small eggs
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Dried thyme
FOR HUMANS
¼ cup thinly sliced onion Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
PREPARE FIRST
1. Blanch the sweet potato chunks for 3 minutes.
2. Melt 1 Tablespoon of butter in a small frying pan over medium heat and cook the sweet potatoes for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Separate into two bowls, with two-thirds of the potato in one, and the remaining one-third in the other.
3. Cook the onions in the pan until softened, about 2 minutes. Add more butter if needed. Add cooked onion to the two-thirds portion of sweet potato.
4. Beat the eggs in a small mixing bowl, add dried thyme, and set aside.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Cooking for Two Your Dog & You!"
by .
Copyright © 2016 Brandon Schultz.
Excerpted by permission of Skyhorse Publishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
