Minced beef and noodles

This is a ‘recipe’, if you can call it that, which takes literally five minutes to prepare. And a couple of minutes to cool.

It is quick, clean and nourishing. Lightly browned minced beef,  mixed with cooked basmati rice noodles and thyme makes a perfect fast meal: protein-rich and  easily digestible.  The thyme adds a mild antioxidant and antimicrobial touch and the aroma makes the kitchen smell good!

Here’s evidence of that:

Ingredients:

500g minced beef
Sprinkle of thyme
Spoonful of beef broth or water (optional)
Basmati rice noodles (cooked in plain water, no salt)

Method:

Place the minced beef in a dry pan, sprinkle with thyme.
Stir constantly to break up the meat into fine pieces.
Continue to stir until the meat is evenly cooked (less than five minutes on a low heat).
Don’t let the meat stick to the pan.

   

Cook on a gentle heat, stirring constantly so the beef cooks evenly. Browning produces what’s known as the Maillard reaction and can reduce key nutrients. (For more info on the Maillard reaction and why it is harmful to dogs, see below.)

Therefore the rule of thumb is that the meat is cooked without developing any brown crust. If necessary, you can add a spoonful of water or broth to cool the pan and prevent browning..

   

Remove from the heat and add cooked noodles. (You can use your imagination here and use cooked vegetables instead of or in addition to the noodles.)

     

 

Hey presto: a five-minute mix of simple, nourishing ingredients that provides complete protein, essential nutrients and easily digestible energy. And it can be frozen too.

Nutritional info:

Minced beef

High in complete protein (for muscle and cell repair), essential B vitamins (especially B12 for nerve function), and minerals like iron (for healthy blood) and zinc (critical for immune function).

Basmati rice noodles

Provides a light, easily digestible carbohydrate source for quick energy and sustained vitality, gentler on the digestive system than high-fibre grains.

Thyme:

Adds a mild, pleasing aroma. Use a very small pinch for flavour only; its nutritional impact is negligible at this dose.

These ingredients support your dog’s:

  • muscle maintenance and repair
  • healthy skin, coat and immune function
  • balanced energy and vitality
  • optimal nutrient absorption (through minimal, gentle processing)

What is the Maillard reaction?

The Maillard reaction is the browning process that occurs when amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and reducing sugars (simple carbohydrates) react together under heat. This reaction is popular in human cooking because it enhances the food, creating depth of flavour, the rich savoury (umami) tastes of seared steaks to caramelised onions.

The Maillard reaction is potentially harmful for dogs. It essentially “locks up” essential amino acids, making them unavailable for absorption and use. Because dogs cannot produce certain amino acids themselves,  this loss reduces the overall nutritional value of their food. The “danger zone” begins at around 140 °C. This is the point when browning becomes visible and amino acid losses increase, leading to the formation of AGEs (Advanced Glycation End-products), compounds associated with oxidative stress and inflammation.[1]

References:

[1] van Rooijen C, Bosch G, van der Poel AF, Wierenga PA, Alexander L, Hendriks WH. The Maillard reaction and pet food processing: effects on nutritive value and pet health. Nutr Res Rev. 2013 Dec;26(2):130-48. doi: 10.1017/S0954422413000103. Epub 2013 Aug 6. PMID: 23916186.

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 canine nutritionist but supporting research is cited.
  • The recipes shared were created by me and tested in my kitchen – and tasted and approved by our doggy friends!