When The Parliament invited me to share my favourite recipe with readers, I was a little hesitant. As someone who rarely cooks – I’m always on the move between Brussels, Strasbourg and Budapest – cooking isn’t my go-to activity. I’m more used to hotel rooms than fully equipped kitchens. My hectic lifestyle as an MEP has made me deeply appreciate the European Union’s Platform Work Directive, which seeks to improve the working conditions of gig economy workers – because, frankly, Uber and Deliveroo drivers have been lifesavers for me on more than one occasion.
One thing I’ll always make time for, no matter how busy my agenda gets, is preparing healthy meals and quality treats for my two dogs, Kyra and Ziggy. They deserve the very best, a feeling I’m sure all pet parents share. Both Kyra, a schnauzer mix, and Ziggy, a German shepherd, had tough beginnings. Kyra endured abuse and neglect in a dog pound, and Ziggy was found tied up at a construction site as a puppy.
I’ll always make time to prepare quality treats for my two dogs, Kyra and Ziggy.
My husband and I do our utmost to give our dogs the love and care they deserve – a task that falls to my husband when I’m away on Parliament duties. So, I've decided to share my favourite dog biscuit recipe, one inspired by Sally McKenney’s recipe for peanut butter and bacon dog treats. (Before donning your oven gloves, be sure to run the recipe by your vet if your pup has any allergies.)
I can promise that your four-legged companion will find them super-tasty, so serve them in moderation. Still, bringing joy and happiness to our lives surely merits a tasty dog biscuit every now and then, right?
Ingredients
Makes about 15 dog treats
255g smooth peanut butter
180ml non-fat milk
1 large egg (or 60g unsweetened apple sauce)
244g wholewheat flour
1tbsp baking powder
28g oats
2-3 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 160C. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a large bowl, gently mix the peanut butter, milk and egg (or apple sauce, if preferred).
- Add the flour and baking powder. Mix in the oats and bacon to form a thick, heavy dough.
- Roll out the dough (roughly 0.5cm to 1cm thickness). Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter – bone-shaped ones are especially cute – and place on the baking sheets.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly brown on one side. Turn, then bake for a further 10-12 minutes.
- Allow the treats to cool completely before giving them to your dog.
- Store at room temperature for up to a week, or in the fridge for up to a fortnight.