Did you know today is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day?

FEB 23 2009
Did you know today is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day?
I just found out myself!!

How very cool is it that we have a day just for our four legged companions! Of course in my household everyday is my dogs’ special day! I thought since today Feb 23 2009 is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day I would post one of my old time most favorite recipes for my Boys, for all of you to make for your Boys & Girls.What could be any more international for Fido than my:

Belgium Italian Biscotti

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup dark rye flour
1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup each: oats, buckwheat flour and barley flakes
¼ cup plain wheat germ
1/3 cup sunflower seeds, shelled
2 tablespoons dark molasses
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp baking powder
2 tablespoons olive oil (Note: do not use extra virgin oil for this, as it has a lower burn temperature than regular olive oil, and is not as good for baking. Regular olive oil is wonderful for this recipe and less expensive to boot.)
2 tablespoons water
1 large egg (extra large is fine also)
2 tsp vanilla
½ cup chopped dried apple
½ cup dried banana, chopped (fresh banana should be chopped & frozen before using)
½ cup of fresh carrots, shredded (make sure they are slim shreds)
¼ cup flax seed
Non-stick spray for cookie sheet

DIRECTIONS:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350°
2. Spray one large cookie sheet with non-stick spray
3. In large bowl combine all dry ingredients: flours, wheat germ, sunflower seeds,
baking soda and baking powder, set aside.
4. In a blender or food processor puree the egg, vanilla and olive oil to emulsify.
5. Add all other ingredients to blender and blend well, until they are almost the size
of small chunks, then add the fruit and mix well.
6. Now add all the wet ingredients into the bowl of flours and other ingredients.
7. Knead dough until it will hold together well, just do not over knead.
8. Cut the dough in half so you have equal amounts.
9. Shape into a “meatloaf” shape, without the loaf pan.
10. Place both dough loaves on the greased cookie sheet.
11. Flatten the loaves a bit (keeping in mind that you want them to look like a
biscotti).
12. Now take a slim fork to poke holes on top of your loaves. I poke a few holes on the
sides too. Also do not place them too closely to each other when baking, as you want
to have a bit of room between the loaves. (see picture below)
13. Bake the loaves in the oven for 40 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch.
Do not let them burn.
14. Remove them from oven and let cool for at least 1 hour. Turn your oven down to 300°,
but do not turn off, as you still have more baking to do.
15. Once loaves are cool, get a bread knife and slice the Biscotti into ¼ inch thick slices
(see picture below).
16. Place sliced biscotti on cookie sheet and bake again. It should take about 30 minutes,
until they are golden brown and hard. If you are at a high altitude it may take a bit
longer. If you are at sea level, it may take only 20 minutes.
17. Turn off your oven to let them dry out longer, but make sure they do not burn. You
want them to dry out as this will give them more flavor and harden for your dogs to
give them more crunch. This also helps remove the moisture, which is one of the
reasons homemade cookies don’t last as long. The trick is to get them dried out enough.

I like to store them in an airtight container and my favorite thing to use is my Reynolds Handi-Vac® storage system that takes all the air out. This will allow them to keep for up to 6 months in the freezer. Just take out what you want to use for the day, and they will return to room temperature quickly.

I love to give them to my boys on a summer day when they are fresh out of the freezer. They make a great treat on a hot summer day.

With this Biscotti recipe you can add any ingredients you want, from dried meats to veggies; just keep the dry ingredients the same and create away.

I hope you and your four-legged kids enjoy these treats as much as my Boys love them. I always use this recipe for gift giving, as they are easy to make, look beautiful and most of all they taste great!

“Remember the animals in your life are not just your pets, they’re your friends.”