DIY Eat: Good Dog Mini Muffins

Good Dog Mini Muffin Recipe

Ingredients
*Choose organic ingredients whenever possible.

4 whole eggs

1 cup plain, unsweetened yogurt, for example, Greek, Balkan, or goat milk yogurt

2/3 cup whole flour of your choice, including blends

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese or another grated cheese of your choice, for example, goat milk cheese

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp herbs, for example, oregano (If you have fresh oregano from the garden, use 1 Tbsp, finely chopped)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. Lightly grease a muffin tin. You can use a pan that holds 12 regular muffins but a 24-muffin mini pan is preferred.

3. In a large bowl, combine the eggs and yogurt. Then add the whole flour, cheese, salt and herbs, and ensure that all ingredients are thoroughly blended.

4. Spoon batter into prepared muffin tin, filling cups 2/3 full.

5. Bake in preheated oven for 25 – 30 minutes, until the Mini Muffins are lightly browned on top.

6. Cool completely before storing.  This recipe can easily be doubled. Mini Muffins freeze well too.

Ingredient Notes

Eggs. For people and dogs, eggs are nutritional powerhouses, containing the most bioavailable protein. Many consider eggs to be the number one food for hair, imbuing it with strength and lustre. Eggs also contain lutein, which helps to keep our dogs’ skin well hydrated and plays an important role in tissue repair. The zinc found in eggs supports skin health and shiny hair too. Egg yolks provide a valuable source of biotin. It is one of the eight vitamins in the Vitamin B complex, helping to promote healthy skin and coat. Symptoms such as hair loss, skin irritation, lesions and fungus, can be the result of a biotin deficiency. Biotin/Vitamin H can be effective in the treatment of allergic reactions and skin conditions. Eggs also contain Vitamin A, which helps to repair cell damage, and is another vitamin known for helping to keep skin healthy and coat glowing.

Goat Milk Yogurt. Goat milk contains more calcium, vitamin B-6, vitamin A, potassium, niacin, copper, folic acid, and selenium than cow’s milk, and unlike cow’s milk, goat milk does not contain aggluntinin, so fat globules in the milk do not gather together, making digestion easier. Goat milk also contains more of the linoleic and arachnodonic essential fatty acids, and a higher proportion of short chain and medium chain fatty acids than cow’s milk. Goat milk only contains trace amounts of alpha S-1, an allergenic casein protein, so it is a great alternative for pets and their owners who have an intolerance to cow milk-based products.

Oregano. Oregano has a long and coloured history. Not only was it recognized for its nutritional and medicinal properties, but it was also a symbol of joy. While native to northern Europe, oregano has been cultivated in France since the Middle Ages. It is integral to Mediterranean cuisine and was only popularized in the United States when soldiers brought oregano seeds home with them. Oregano is an excellent source of Vitamin K and a very good source of iron, manganese, and dietary fibre. It is also a good source of calcium, magnesium, Vitamins A and C, and even, omega-3 fatty acids. Research demonstrates that beta-caryophyllene, a chemical found in oregano, may inhibit inflammation.

Click here for more DIY projects!