Most toppings are what they call “Lick the Bowl” recipes and Georgie is an appreciative hound. But this chicken, veg and tuna topping is up there in the lick-the-bowl-clean-and-take-the-pattern-with-it category!

Dashi remouillage

I needed a topping and had forgotten to take a new batch out of the freezer. As luck would have it, I was making a dashi broth with bonito flakes for human consumption and decided to make a second batch. Having discovered that even bonito flakes can be used for a sort of remouillage, I decided to give it a go. Although the second batch was quite weak, it was certainly fine as a basis for a topping and definitely one up on plain water. I’m wondering if the broth might have been the magic ingredient in the topping … one thing I do know is that from now on, I will always make a second batch of dashi broth – if only for the freezer!

This was a quick leftover recipe, taking the dashi broth as a basis and using up a few bits and bobs from the fridge. All done in around 25 minutes (plus time for cooling, even under the watchful eye of a very eager dog).

Recipe

Chicken, cabbage, carrot and tuna broth topping

Ingredients

500 ml dashi broth (2nd batch)
200g fermented white cabbage shredded
300g carrot puree
180g salmon scraps
150g cooked chicken, shredded (mine was sous vide, but it’s not vital)
1tsp ginger
1tsp turmeric
Black pepper
Tbsp used bonito flakes (optional)
150g sous vide ginger carrots (optional)

Method:

Bring a litre of water to the boil. Add 30 g of bonito flakes, remove pan from the heat and leave for 10 minutes.
Drain, retaining the flakes.

Dashi broth remouillage for chicken veg and tuna topping

Dashi broth

Return broth to pan and add carrot purée.
Bring to a simmer and add remaining ingredients, warm through thoroughly. You can add some of the bonito flakes as an optional extra.

Allow to cool, then refrigerate.

Mixing ingredients for chicken veg and tuna topping - carrots and cabbage with chicken

*****

The topping:

chicken veg and tuna topping in a bowl with dog biscuits

… and a supply of chicken, veg and tuna topping portioned and labelled for the freezer:

and a supply of chicken, veg and tuna topping portioned and labelled for the freezer:

Tip:

As usual, if this isn’t too liquid it can be pureed and frozen in smaller quantities for use in baked treats.

Important Considerations:

  • Always consult your veterinarian before making any significant dietary changes, particularly where there are pre-existing health conditions or dietary restrictions.
  • If you are feeding commercial food, check the label for ingredients before giving more. Excessive intake of any foods can have adverse effects.
  • Ensure (where possible) that you use high-quality, organic products specifically formulated for pets (or better still, human grade ingredients) to avoid any potential adverse effects.
  • Introduce new foods gradually to avoid adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upset or diarrhoea.
  • I provide nutritional information purely as a helpful guide. Nutritional information on ingredients is obtained from the US Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central site (https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html) and any nutritional information provided in recipes is based on an online calculator: calories and other information will vary based on brands, ingredients and other factors.
  • Check nutrient levels and recommendations for your dog’s weight, age and activity. For example this nutritional guideline produced by FEDIAF.
  • I am not a professional nutritionist. I am sharing recipes that I have created and tested in my kitchen and that have been tasted and approved by our doggy friends.