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In the News: Tails of Marin

By Michelle Stern

Love is key ingredient in healthy pet treats

Kids love animals and they love helping out in the kitchen. So when you can combine those pleasures, they really have a good time.

For the past year, I have been offering specialty cooking classes to the children at Humane Society summer camps in which we create healthy and delicious animal treats. The students beam with pride as they cook with a purpose and find that their culinary creations are gobbled up by people and animals alike.

And why shouldn't they be? The treats are full of delicious ingredients such as cheese, carrots and parsley. As 6-year-old Amelia says, "It's better to use ingredients that sound like real food instead of things made by scientists."

Have fun making these recipes with your kids and don't be surprised if some of your friends say they'd like to try a few, too.

Kitty Catnip Cookies

1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

2 Tablespoons wheat germ

1/3 cup powdered milk

1 teaspoon catnip

1 egg

1 tablespoon unsulfered molasses

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Extra flour as necessary

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix dry ingredients together, then add molasses, egg and oil. Add additional flour if the mixture is too sticky; add water if it is too dry. Shape into tiny balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool and store in an airtight container.

Cheesy Doggie Delights

3 cups minced parsley

1/2 cup carrots, chopped finely

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 Tablespoons olive oil

2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour

2 tablespoons bran

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 to 1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and put the rack on middle level. Lightly grease a large baking sheet. Cut parsley with kitchen scissors or a pizza cutter then put into a large bowl. Use a food chopper or knife to cut the carrots into very small pieces and add them to the parsley. Grate the mozzarella cheese. Add to parsley and carrots and mix, then add the oil. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients. When they are well mixed, add to the vegetable and cheese mixture. Gradually add 1/2 cup of water, mixing well. Make a moist (but not wet) dough. If needed, add a little more water.

Knead for one minute. Form dough into balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 20-30 minutes until biscuits have browned and hardened slightly. (They will harden more as they cool.) Store in an airtight tin.

Michelle Stern is the owner of What's Cooking and a volunteer at the Marin Humane Society.