Even for the Naughty Ones

I think animals sense the holidays. After all, suddenly there’s a big tree inside the house replete with chew toys hanging all over it. Something is up. Everybody seems stressed out. And the people-who-control-the-food seem to always be eating…always. So, why leave the pooches out of the holiday feasting? And even if you don’t buy my theory about CSP (Canine Sensory Perception), these goodies are a thoughtful gift to the humans in your life who dote on their dogs. The recipe is incredibly simple, and let’s face it, who’s going to complain that they aren’t “butter-y” enough or whine that you’ve blown their diet? Cooking for those who can’t critique, or at least, can’t critique eloquently, is the way to go. So here are the Christmas cookies you won’t mind dropping on the floor (like I did…parchment paper is slippery as hell).

1 ¾ cup whole wheat flour (I used white because I had it…)
½ cup oatmeal
¼ cup wheat bran (what? I’m not buying wheat bran for this…)
½ cup of cornmeal (I’ll just double this instead…)
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg
½ cup beef or chicken stock
½ cup butter, shortening, or meat drippings

Mix up all the dry ingredients (or your version of them). Add the shortening/drippings till you have an oatmeal consistency. I went a little overboard in this area and boiled a chicken carcass I had lying around (does that make you uncomfortable?) and used the resulting schmaltz. Glorious, glorious schmaltz. Ahem. Anyway. Then add the stock so that your dough forms a ball. Knead it for a couple minutes, and roll on a floured surface. It should be about ½ inch thick. Cut it into whatever shapes you fancy. I used a bone-shaped cookie cutter.

I was going to make some cat-shaped ones, but the skinny tail looked like both a burn-risk and a choking hazard. Don't ya think?

Bake at 350 for about a half hour and voila! When the Dog Revolution comes, you may be up against the wall, but only because they’re humping your leg...in a loving way.