Saturday, December 18, 2010

Cheese & Bacon Dog Treats for the International Incident Colors Party



I briefly considered skipping this month's International Incident Party, hosted as always by our lovely foundress, the effervescent Penny aka Jeroxie. The theme, colors for the festive season, (whatever holiday you happen to celebrate) was simply not resonating with me, to say the least.

Regular readers will recall that my amazing dog Pete passed away on November 28th, and things haven't exactly been right in the Trix household ever since. Poppa Trix and I have not busted out the tree or the sparkly Hanukkah tinsel or the Father Christmases, and we haven't played the Charlie Brown Christmas record (yes, a real record!) that Poppa Trix got me two years ago, not even once.

But I'm not here to be a downer or rain on everyone's fun and colorful parade.  So instead, rather than miss the last Incident of the year, I decided to make something that would bring joy to some friends'  dogs: homemade cheese and bacon treats.

Pete would definitely approve. After all, he was obsessed with cheese, and would trot expectantly into the kitchen if anyone so much as opened the cheese drawer.

The color - beige - may not initially strike you as festive, but in its simplicity and purity I think it symbolizes the essence of a dog's heart. And in a literal sense, it's kind of the color of Pete.

So I hope you'll make these for the special dog in your life. Even if, like me, you don't have one of your own, it's a fun gift for a friend or family member's pooch. I can tell you that they were the cause of much nose twitching, butt wiggling,  and tail wagging among my canine recipients! And as it turns out, cats seem to quite like them as well. My spookily intelligent and consistently hilarious rescue Siamese, The Count, (who you may recall from the Great Butter Caper) kept me on my toes as I tried to photograph them:
Lurking ... reaching ... grabbing

 Yes ... and???
I got the Bubba Rose Biscuit Company's Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook Kit  in preparation:
The fire hydrant cutter made the biscuits look like deformed trees, so I stuck with the bone and the squirrel:
 I didn't end up following a recipe from the book, though I did research to make sure that none of my ingredients would harm a dog. Except for the bacon grease - hey, they're called treats for a reason - they're all pretty healthy (in moderation):
You'll need:

1 cup organic brown rice flour
2 1/4 cups organic whole wheat flour
2 Tbsp bacon grease 
1 heaping cup grated cheddar cheese 
1 egg, beaten
1 cup water
flour for dusting

Combine the flours, and cut in the bacon grease to coat. Add the cheese, the egg and the water and knead until the dough is pliable, but not too sticky. If it's not coming together, add more wheat flour. Roll out on a lightly dusted surface to a 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into the desired shapes and transfer to a lightly greased cookie sheet. Unlike with pie or biscuit dough, you can keep re-rolling without worrying about the dough getting tough. I mean - these treats are for dogs. And they've got bacon and cheese. They won't notice, I promise. 

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until the biscuits firm up. You may want to check about halfway through the baking to make sure the bottoms aren't burning. 

In case you're wondering - yes, I did taste them, and yes, they're pretty good. If I were making them for myself, I'd add salt. Anyway - the doggies may not notice how cute these biscuits are, but I couldn't help it:


Thanks for stopping by for the last Incident of the year. Dont worry, we'll be back next year! In the meantime, please go see what everyone else brought to the party:





31 comments:

  1. You amaze me, I cant believe you know how t mae this...wow. nothing I sure have ever attempted...your Pete was so lucky to have a wonderful loving mom like you!~

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  2. These are certainly cute doggie biscuits and the bacon grease must add such a nice flavor. I understand that this Christmas is particularly difficult. I think Pete would want you guys to have the most incredible holiday possible.

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  3. Thanks lovely and big super hugs to you :)
    Thanks for joining us. Time will take away some pain so hang in there. :)

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  4. Thank you for sharing this! They are so cute... time will heal...*hugs*

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  5. I think those treats are amazing and appropriate. I have tried a bit at home cooked treats for my cats but they could care less to even try them.

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  6. Sorry to hear about your loss. I think any pet would be very lucky to receive these treats

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  7. Beautiful post Trix, I bet Pete would have been all over these and I think this is a lovely post in his honour.

    A few more hugs your way my dear xxx

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  8. Never mind the dog in my life, I think the CLEO Burmese in my life might have been joining in the high jinx with the Count there! What a beautiful tribute to Pete, Trix xoxoxox

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  9. Such a lovely tribute... and they look good enough to steal from our furry companions! Will definitely consider making these for my friend's dog and cat. :D

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  10. Your pain about losing Pete is still obvious, Trix, but I truly admire you for turning that pain into making something as delicious as these biscuits that will make other canines happy. I'm sure Pete would approve, as he looks down from dog-heaven! Your cats look gorgeous, you're lucky you have them as I still miss ours very much too.

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  11. What a fitting tribute to Pete! I am sure wherever he is now he is snacking on an endless supply of biscuits. His buddies definitely are going to appreciate the extra love that went into your colorful treats. Wishing you, Poppa Trix and The Count Happy Holidays! XOXO

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  12. know this was a tough one to make and bake, but so glad you did.... pet and animal lovers everywhere are thanking you for it....sweet, very much so - hope this next week is filled with love, laughter and warm memories....

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  13. Your cat is so adorable and hilarious. I think it's so lovely to honor Pete with these treats. I can't imagine how hard and sad you must be feeling. I have a very old dog and just the thought and reading your story brings tears to my eyes. My dog also loves cheese and he can recognize the sound of cheese being removed from the fridge :) I will definitely be treating my little guy with your treats. Thanks for sharing these and I hope that the days will get a little bit easier for you and your hubby.

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  14. Thanks to all of you for your continued support! It was hard to bake these, but oddly comforting as well. If anyone does make these I sure hope your pet enjoys them!! @leaf - I don't think there's anything in them that would pose a danger to cats, but please do check first. I didn't let the Count have any because he has to be on a special diet. (Don't feel too sorry for him, he is really spoiled!)

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  15. I've gotta pull out my bone cookie cutter for this one. Petunia got a big B-O-N-E from my buddies at my favorite beef company, but since she is still not great with lots of people (read terrible) I think a bag of these tossed into her quiet room (one at a time) will make a huge difference. Keep your chin up, girl. I hope CHristmas brings a joy into to your life ( your cat must certainly keep you smiling!), have a merry one (with Lagavulin!!!).

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  16. These are so cute. What a wonderful tribute to Pete....CHEESY goodness.

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  17. Sorry to hear about the loss of your dog, Pete. These are cool treats and I am sure he'll approve.

    Funny, but I just recently made some cheddar and bacon cookies/biscuits for humans :) Have a wonderful Christmas!

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  18. Oh my my my Trix!!!! I know a certain Siberian Husky who would just love these...can't wait to make 'em. Of course I'll have to eat some bacon in order to get the grease such a sacrifice (heh heh)My sympathies to you on the loss of Pete.

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  19. Those are a perfect new treat for our little Shiba Inu, Koda (aka The Dooze). He fancies himself a connoisseur of cheese too. theresa

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  20. Hi Trix....this recipe is amazing!!!

    But now I want to tell you...it was two weeks before Xmas when Ciro went to Heaven, but I decorate d house ...just because he could recognize his house between all the world lighted houses!!!! Hugs, ciao Flavia

    P.S. if you play Charlie Brown records...Pete is going to hear that!!! xoxoxoxoxo

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  21. This. Is. Awesome!!! i must have that book! i've been looking for new treat recipes lately and have found a few, but that also comes with cookie cutters! i was given some bone cookie cutters for my birthday earlier this year, but i need a squirrel! it reminds me of Doug from Up, and i always laugh now with anything related to squirrels. and Cleo is so cute - i like that you got an action shot of a cat in action; very rare to catch their ninja moves. it's quite obvious how well Pete is loved and it's so generous of you to share this love with us all. thank you!

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  22. O Trix am so sorry about Pete. Youve done really well with this one.

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  23. wow these look great so sweet of you to do this must have been hard hugs

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  24. These looks great! I bet my Lab, Twain, would love them. All best wishes for you and yours--the holidays can be tough when you're missing a love one.

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  25. @lostpastremembered: I hope they help Petunia in her adjustment to the good life!
    @Janis: Yes, cheese is the best tribute of all.
    @Biren: These were almost good enough for people!
    @Island Vittles, @Kathy, @Brie & @Frank: It makes me so happy to think of you guys making these for your furry loved ones. And @Kathy, you are such a good person to eat bacon just for your dog ; )
    @Chowandchatter & @Shirley Thanks so much xoxo
    @EliFla: That is an amazing thought, thank you for that.

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  26. A great thought, these cookies as a tribute to Pete and also a way to move on. Like your cat too, he seems very smart, like all Siamese.

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  27. What a nice idea to make these, and they look terrific! Have a great holiday, Trix!

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  28. I love those!!! and Enzo would too, they're definitely holiday treat. I think I would nibble on them too, they look too good! Funny how your cat has the perfect name, he does look distinguished, somehow aristocratic.

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  29. @tasteofbeirut: He is too smart for his own good!
    @5 Star Foodie: Thanks! You too!
    @citron: Ha ha, he is quite the aristocrat (aristocat) - actually you can barely see it in the photo but we named him after Count Dracula, as his teeth are so long they hang down over his bottom lip!!

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  30. Awe Trix, I think Pete would be very proud of you (smile but seriously). And I wish he could have had one of these...
    I'm going to send this post to my Mom's e-mail. I can see her making these for our Claudie Boy. Oh, and I can really see him loving them:-)

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  31. Lovely to find your blog! This is such as beautiful information, thanks a lot for sharing this outstanding post!
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