Mushroom and Freekeh
Freekeh is basically green durum wheat that is harvested while still young. Its nutritional profile and culinary versatility have led to it being marketed as a superfood, contributing to its popularity for human consumers. Given its nutritional profile, with significant fibre, protein and mineral content, freekeh has many health benefits for the canine diet (and not only for dogs without wheat allergies).
Freekeh can be steamed or boiled in advance; cooked freekeh also freezes very well, so do try steaming batches and freezing in portions.
Care and Share
Personally, I love the nutty taste of freekeh and it’s a regular alternative to rice or quinoa. And since it is such a great ingredient (in moderation!), it makes a regular appearance in our Care and Share recipes.
This time, I made mushroom and freekeh dellychurros for the dog and used the same mix to create a delicious mixture for Freekeh and Gorgonzola stuffed mushrooms. (Care and share ideas at the bottom of the page!)
Recipe
Here’s the recipe for doggy dellychurros:
Freekeh and mushroom dellychurros
Ingredients
200 g chestnut mushrooms, sliced
125 g freekeh, cooked (steamed or boiled)*
5 g mushroom powder
75 g sorghum
75 g cornmeal
10 g nutritional yeast
1 egg
70g kefir
100g leftover chicken or salmon, shredded (optional)
* Freekeh can be steamed or boiled in advance; cooked freekeh also freezes very well, so it is worth steaming batches and freezing in portions.
See below for the benefits of the individual ingredients at a glance.
Method:
Toast mushroom slices in a dry pan for a few minutes until they start to release moisture.
Remove from pan and place in food processor with cooked freekeh and mushroom powder.
Blitz and put in mixer bowl.
Preheat oven to 170°C.
Place Freekeh in bowl
Add dry ingredients (sorghum, cornmeal and nutritional yeast)…
… followed by egg and kefir.
Mix to a batter.
Mix thoroughly in kitchen mixer on high-speed, fold down piping bag over your hand and spoon the mixture in.
Pipe dellychurros onto baking sheet.
Place dellychurros in preheated oven on medium shelf for 15 minutes.
Turn churros over, replace in oven and cook for a further 15 minutes
Ingredients: the benefits at a glance
Freekeh is an ancient grain made from roasted green wheat. It is high in protein, essential for muscle repair and growth, and a good source of dietary fibre for gut health and digestion. Freekeh contains minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc to support bone health, muscle function, fluid balance and immune system maintenance. It also provides B vitamins, which play various roles in energy metabolism, nerve and cognitive function, and cellular health.
Chestnut mushrooms are a nutrient-dense ingredient, rich in antioxidants like selenium, which help reduce oxidative stress and support immune function. They are a good source of B vitamins such as B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin) and B5 (pantothenic acid), which support energy metabolism, nerve function, and overall cellular health. Chestnut mushrooms are one of the few food sources of vitamin D, which plays a vital role in bone health and calcium absorption. Additionally, they provide essential minerals like potassium, iron, zinc, manganese and copper, which contribute to muscle function, oxygen transport, and immune support.
Kefir is rich in probiotics, which balance got microbiota and promote overall gut health. It is nutrient dense, and has good amounts of protein, fat and carbohydrates. Kefir is also rich in vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12, K2, folic acid), which support energy metabolism and cognitive health, and minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus), which are important for bone health.
Nutritional yeast is a nutrient-rich supplement with a savoury flavour. It’s that flavour that makes yeast extracts a common palatability enhancer in commercial dog food, in addition to the nutritional benefits. For example, nutritional yeast is high in B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, and B12) that support energy metabolism, cognitive function and cell health. It’s also a good source of protein, promoting muscle maintenance and repair. Minerals such as iron, magnesium, and potassium support muscle function, nerve health, and the immune system. And last but by no means least, antioxidants like glutathione help reduce oxidative stress and promote overall wellness.
Sorghum flour is a gluten-free grain, rich in fibre, vitamins, protein, essential minerals such as iron, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. Nutritional and health benefits include muscle maintenance and repair, digestive health support, blood sugar management and heart health. Sorghum flour is also rich in antioxidants, including phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which help reduce oxidative stress and support immune function.
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Care and share idea:
Freekeh and gorgonzola stuffed mushroom:
Double the quantity of mushrooms for toasting above. After removing 200 g for the mushroom dellychurros, add oil, parsley, pepper and black garlic, and fry to make garlic mushrooms. If convenient, prepare garlic mushrooms ahead of time; they can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
The garlic mushrooms can also be used with cooked freekeh to stuff large mushroom caps. Add freekeh to the basic garlic mushroom mix, then add other ingredients, for example broccoli, salmon or cheese, as desired.
In this case, I added 65 g of gorgonzola cheese and some leftover broccoli , then filled the mushroom caps and topped them with a small piece of smoked salmon and some breadcrumbs for good measure!
Important Considerations:
- Always consult your veterinarian before making any significant dietary changes, particularly where there are pre-existing health conditions or dietary restrictions.
- As some commercial foods contain grain as an ingredient, check the label to see whether it’s in your dog’s food 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.