Banjo's Favorite Chicken-Liver "Brownies"

by Ginger
(Santa Barbara, CA)

This is a very easy (and affordable) recipe for "dog brownies" that was given to me by a fellow member of the Dog.com community forum. I wish I knew the author's name so I could give her credit, because these are my dog Banjo's all-time favorite treats! Make a batch or two, and freeze them--that way, you always have "special" treats on hand for when your dog REALLY deserves a reward! Just make sure to label them--you definitely don't want to mistake these for "regular" brownies!!

**Liver Brownies**
Ingredients:
~ Approx. one pound or tub of liver, with juices (I use Chicken Liver, because I find it to be a bit less "smelly" when it cooks, PLUS it comes in smaller chunks so you have to do very little prep-work. But feel free to use beef liver if you prefer!)

~2 cups Whole Wheat Flour

~ OPTIONAL: 1 or 2 Tbsp Flax Oil, Olive Oil, or Salmon Oil (I like to include flax oil because it is good for the dog's skin and coat, and I happen to have it on hand, but it is not required) Don't use TOO much oil, or the brownies will be too rich for your dog's digestion.

~OPTIONAL: Any spices you think your dog would like, *EXCEPT* onions, or anything HOT/SPICY, of course. Some people throw in a clove or two of fresh garlic, but I choose not to just in case it's bad for my dog. (Personally, I don't bother with any spices--and my dog LOVES these as-is!)

Directions: Place the liver--WITH its juices--into a food processor or blender. If you are using beef liver, be sure chop it up a bit first. If using chicken liver, I use a pair of kitchen shears to snip up particularly large chunks into smaller bits while still in the tub, and then dump it all into the blender. Add any spices you are using, PLUS the oil if you are using that. Blend well, until mostly liquefied.

Pour the liquefied liver into a large bowl, and stir in the 2 cups of whole wheat flour. Mix well. (if necessary, add some water to make it easier to stir) The consistency should be moist and spreadable, but not *too* watery.

Glob the whole thing onto a baking sheet with edges, or a large brownie pan, and spread to about *1 inch deep*. (I like to use those cheap disposable foil pans you can buy at the grocery store, but just about anything will work) Bake at 325 F for about 20 minutes (25 if you want them a bit crunchy). When cool, cut into tiny pieces with a pizza wheel (I make them about the size of a crouton, because they are so meaty--a little goes a long way with these!).

Once they are cool, take the amount you will use within 3 to 5 days, and put them into a tupperware container (or zip-lock bag); store in the refrigerator. Return the rest to the cookie sheet and freeze before bagging. These can be stored in the freezer in an air-tight container (or freezer bags) for many months or more.

Note: if you have a dog that is on a diet, or has sensitive digestion, and you don't want to give too many of these treats at once, here's a great tip! Take 5-10 of these little brownie pieces and place them in a zip lock bag along with a small handful of your dog's regular kibble...shake well, and voila! Liver-flavored kibble treats! Your dog will go for the kibble as if it's a special treat! I do this when I'm doing some clicker-training or if I'm placing these in my dog's Kong, so she won't get TOO much liver at once, but she will still be very excited about the treats!