Sunday, April 13, 2014

Liz Mugavero's Strawberry Bites for Dogs

Please welcome our guest today, Liz Mugavero!


Hello again! What a thrill to be back in the Mystery Lover’s Kitchen talking about my favorite subject - treats for my four-legged friends. 

I love trying new things for the pups (and kitties, although they’re harder to please). My dogs - well, one of them at least - will eat pretty much anything I offer. So I can’t really go by her opinion on a new recipe. It’s when the other two dogs eat it that I know it stands a chance of being a hit. 

Such was the case with the strawberry bites. With spring in the air and summer berries right around the corner, I wanted to find something the dogs could enjoy while I’m drinking a natural, organic berry smoothie on the deck. Strawberry bites are a simple drop cookie that are easy to make and dogs love the fruity flavor. And yes - all three of the dogs ate these, so I know it’s a true hit. 

I’m very lucky to have a gourmet pet food store, The Big Biscuit, that I work with on treats. I can ask for treats of any flavor, shape, texture, you name it, and they’ll give me something yummy and healthy to try. Since I like to go with organic ingredients, I usually deviate from the basic recipes a bit and hunt around for my own flours and such. I love coconut flour for dog treats. Since going wheat and gluten-free myself, I’ve moved away from using the inexpensive, less healthy flours for my animals. The health benefits for them are just as positive.

I also like to buy local ingredients whenever possible. The honey in this recipe is even better if it’s local and organic. Same with your berries. Your babies will thank you for taking their health so seriously, and your local farms will be happy too!

Ingredients:
2 cups flour (I use organic coconut flour)
1 tbsp baking powder
2 tbsp local honey
3 tbsp butter (or dairy-free, soy-free alternative) or vegetable oil
1 cup water
1 & 1/4 cup of finely chopped strawberries (can use fresh or frozen)
Mix all wet ingredients and then add flour & baking powder. Mix in strawberries. Drop tablespoon size amounts of batter onto a cookie sheet and bake at 300F for 15-20 minutes. Can be dehydrated for about 10 hours for a longer lasting freshness.
 
Liz will give away a copy of her new book, A BISCUIT, A CASKET to one lucky commenter today!
 
Liz Mugavero is the author of the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries. The first book in the series, Kneading to Die, is an Agatha Award nominee for Best First Novel. A Biscuit, A Casket, is available now. As you can imagine, her canine and feline rescues demand the best organic food and treats around. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime New England, Mystery Writers of America, and the Cat Writers’ Association.






 

57 comments:

  1. This is a dog treat? Wow, sounds yummy for me!

    I've got this one on my shelves already

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! And yes, it's edible for humans - although a bit less sweet than we're used to :)

      Delete
  2. Strawberry? Never thot of that! Our huskies love sweet potato cookies. Bet these will be a hit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carly, sweet potato treats are awesome for puppies too :) Hope your huskies like them!

      Delete
  3. Daisy and Lily the princess dachshunds here at mom's keyboard. These sound perfect and we hope there are some in our house soon. Thank you!

    Oh and mom says hi and welcome to Mystery Lovers Kitchen, Liz, whatever that means. It's hard to understand human messages unless they're about food.

    Dog kisses!

    Daisy and Lily

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Daisy and Lily! glad you stopped by and I hope Mom makes them for you! xo

      Delete
  4. Welcome to the Kitchen, Liz! What a sweet recipe for spring and the coming summer. Congrats on your Agatha nomination and thank you for the generous giveaway. Off to let folks know on Facebook, they'll love it! Cheers and enjoy your Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  5. If I made doggie treats maybe. strawberry? Wait, I have cats, no dogs. Drats!
    Would still love to win a copy. The first, Kneading to die, was truly delightful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda, I think cats might enjoy too :) So glad you liked Kneading!

      Delete
  6. My pup, Onyx, most likely would have loved these treats, may she rest in peace. She passed away May 2011 at the age of 13, and I still miss her very much. I look forward to reading your book Ms. Mugavero. It sounds like a lot of fun and stars my favorite four-legged sleuths--kitties and pups.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Catherine, and so sorry about Onyx. It's so hard to lose our friends. xo

      Delete
  7. I literally just finished the first book in this series this morning. I loved it and we are definitely getting a copy for our public library. I am ready for the next one! *Note to self- check what time the bookstore opens!P.S. some of the treats sound good for humans too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much!! I'm thrilled :) And the treats are definitely human-grade!

      Delete
  8. My precious girl Duchess would love these treats she is 13 and is a Keeshond Shephard Mix, Duchess is truly our Blessing. I am looking forward to reading your books.
    Mary Mannella

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm sure my dogs would enjoy those treats. They are beagles and are real treat hounds. They actually sound good enough for a treat for me, too.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am sure our Pep the Pug will send you a thank you himself as soon as I make these. He loves treats (he loves most everything ;-) ) and with the good strawberry season almost here . . . ummmm. Might try a bite myself.

    sallycootie@gmail.com



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sally - I hope Pep enjoys! (And you too!)

      Delete
  11. Passing this on to my sister! Here dog will love them!

    ReplyDelete
  12. We have one of those dogs that will eat anything, too. She doesn't even care if it's food. The others are a bit more fussy. This looks like a good recipe. I'm going to try it for our dogs. I might have to make a double batch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Linda! I hope they love it. Do let me know.
      xo

      Delete
  13. These do look yummy. Lucky dogs. I was a bit surprised by the addition of honey. I know that's not particularly good for very young children . Thought it might be the same for small animals like dogs. BTW---the book cover is the best one I've seen in a while. Love the " party" pets!! Ronnalord ( at) msn ( dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ronna, honey is actually a staple in a lot of these. The folks at Big Biscuit worked with a veterinarian on lots of ingredients and honey (in moderation) has a lot of health benefits for pups. And thanks for the feedback on the cover!

      Delete
  14. Thanks for the recipe, I'll have to try them after we run out of the treats he has now. I love the book cover, it is too cute.
    momzillasteel@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. So happy to see you here, today, Liz! I bet these cookies would be yummy for people, too.

    ~Krista

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm with Krista--those sound like people treats!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Libby, you can definitely try them out. They have no refined sugar, so they're good for you at least!

      Delete
  17. The treats sound delicious and the book sounds wonderful too. My dog Molly would definitely love it if I tried this recipe. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Just discovered Kneading to Die; enjoying it very much! Love dogs, but right now all I have is a very picky cat who is insulted that she doesn't get fresh bird for dinner. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. This recipe sounds good enough for me to even eat. I look forward to your books.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I already bought my copy, but I'm heading back to the bookstore to get a copy for my mom's Easter basket! (She loved your first book and meeting you at your book signing with Lucy Burdette.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Sharon! That was a fun signing.

      Delete
  21. Whether I win the book or not, I'll be purchasing it. This book is a win-win: fun read and delicious treats for my 5 English Cocker Spaniels, all of which are on grain-free, organic diets. Always looking for nutritious treats for them. Thanks Liz!

    ReplyDelete
  22. The book sounds great and the recipe looks good enough for me to eat! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for the recipe. I got used to baking my own sodium-free doggie treats when my Reagan was suffering from heart disease. It is worth knowing that they are getting good quality food by making it yourself. The book sounds great too! Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Our three had told me that I must try these!

    ReplyDelete
  25. The recipe sounds wonderful - may have to make these for my dog. I would also like to win the copy of your book. It would be a great way to be introduced to you. I will be adding your books to my Kindle wish list though. Thanks, Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  26. An enticing recipe which I would try for my dogs. Thanks for this giveaway. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Loved the first book in this series, so I am definitely looking forward to the next. Especially since the cover is so darling! kuzlin(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much - so glad you enjoyed Kneading to Die!

      Delete
  28. Thanks, everyone, for stopping by Mystery Lovers' Kitchen to visit with me! It was so fun, as always, to be here. The winner of the giveaway is Mary Mannella - Mary, can you post your email address so I can contact you for your address? Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Liz, love the title of your new book! So excited for you!

    Daryl / Avery

    ReplyDelete