As Autumn makes its way here and the days become shorter and colder, we all have that craving for comfort food. I recently bought an Instant Pot and while we made our own comfort foods, I also wanted to make something healthy and nutritious for Gatsby. The first thing that came to my mind was bone broth for dogs and here are the four reasons why:
- It is good for their joints – Bone marrows contain collagen called Glucosamine which protects joints.
- It is a liver and kidney detox – Bone broth contains amino acids that can help in cleaning up the liver and kidney. By getting out toxins present within the body, these organs are protected and are able to carry out their functions.
- It promotes a healthy gut – Over vaccination, bad diets, and parasite treatments are known to cause a leaky gut. This is a condition where the tiny holes are found in the lining of their intestines are enlarged with an increase in a number of the holes. The gelatin in bone broth can be used in treating this condition.
- It boosts their immune system – Bone broth contains vitamins C, D and K, potassium, calcium, magnesium, silicon and other minerals.
In my recipe, I also chose to add shiitake mushrooms. As part of my research, I have learned that this mushroom is loaded with nutrients such as fiber, copper, and Vitamin B5.
Ingredients:
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 Pounds Beef Marrow Bones
- 4 Celery Stalks
- 4 Carrots
- 3 Shiitake Mushrooms
- 1 Cup Roughly Chopped Parsley
- 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- Water
Equipment:
- Large Roasting Pan
- Instant Pot
Instructions:
Step 1 – Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.
Step 2 – Grease the roasting pan with olive oil and place the bone marrows in the middle adding the celery and carrots around it.
Step 3 – Bake in the oven for 45 minutes or until they are browned.
Step 4 – Roughly chop the parsley and place it at the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Step 5 – When the baking is done, start transferring the bones to the Instant Pot, placing them in the middle and surrounding them with the celery, carrots, and shiitake mushrooms. Add the apple cider vinegar and cold filtered water, leaving an inch of space under the max line.
Step 6 – Seal, close the pot and set in manual mode for the max time of 240 minutes (4 hours) if your pot only allows you to go up to 120 minutes only, just run the pot twice.
Step 7 – Push the release pressure button, slowly twist open the lid and let the broth cool.
Step 8 – Strain the broth with a fine mesh colander to catch bone bits and veggies.
Step 9 – Place in a mason jar and set it in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
Step 10 – Scrape the fat off the top.
Now, you can heat it up and give the broth to your dog by placing it in their meals (I give Gatsby 1/4 – 1/2 cup a day) or you can freeze them and serve it as a healthy snack!
Till next time! ♥
-Elaine
