Hi Friends! Chef Emoji here and today we’re going to make a family recipe, Monster Mash—cooked veggies mashed up or puréed. For this recipe, you’ll need to steam or boil veggies. Lady uses a large pasta pot with the steamer insert, but if you don’t have that, you can also place the veggies directly in boiling water. We will show you both options and see Lady’s note below for the difference between steaming and boiling veggies.
Like most of our recipes, this recipe can be customized to include your favorite veggies and cater to your pup’s dietary needs. We advise you talk to your vet before to ensure your pup gets all the necessary nutrition.
First things first, things you’ll need:
- 1 Large Sweet Potato – Any variety of sweet potato will do, but Lady prefers the jewel or Japanese sweet potato. Sometimes she mixes things up by getting 2 small-medium sized potatoes.
- 2 bunches of Carrots – When in-season, Lady loves to get multi-colored carrots, but good ol’ orange carrots will do. Besides us dogs so we can’t really tell the difference.
Now the fun stuff!
Steaming the Veggies
- Step 1: Find a comfortable spot to supervise your human. If you’re a human, then make sure your supervisor is comfortable.
- Step 2: Fill a large pot one-third of the way with warm-hot warm. Place on the stove and cover. Also, place steamer basket in the pot, so it’s ready to go.
- Step 3: While you wait for the water the boil, wash the carrots and sweet potato. Skin the sweet potato and cut into 1-inch cubes, and cut the carrots into 1-inch sections.
- Step 4: Once the water comes to a boil, lower heat to medium and place sweet potatoes into steamer basket and cover. Cook for 15 minutes before mixing in the carrots. Cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes.
- Step 5: Place veggies into the large food container and mash the veggies until you are satisfied with the consistency! (Lady usually leaves some bits for my bro, Inky, to chew.)
- Step 6 (optional): if you’re like me and prefer to have your veggies puréed, add 1oz of the cooking water into a blender and 1 cup of veggies. Mix on high, and if necessary, add more water. Blend until smooth and place into another food storage container. Repeat.
- Step 7: Mix* with your meals and enjoy! Don’t forget to lick your dinner bowl clean.
*This can be a great supplement to your pup’s meals, but talk to your vet before changing your pup’s diet.
Boiling the Veggies
- Step 1: Find a comfortable spot to supervise your human. If you’re a human, then make sure your supervisor is comfortable.
- Step 2: Wash the carrots and sweet potato. Skin the sweet potato and cut into 1-inch cubes, and cut the carrots into 1-inch sections.
- Step 3: Place the sweet potato and carrots in the pot and fill halfway with warm-hot water. Bring to a boil and lower heat. Cook for 25-30 minutes.
- Step 4: Place veggies into a large food container and mash the veggies until you are satisfied with the consistency! (Lady usually leaves some bits for my bro, Inky, to chew.)
- Step 5 (optional): if you’re like me and prefer to have your veggies puréed, add 1oz of the cooking water into a blender and 1 cup of veggies. Mix on high, and if necessary, add more water. Blend until smooth and place into another food storage container. Repeat.
- Step 6: Mix* with your meals and enjoy! Don’t forget to lick your dinner bowl clean.
*This can be a great supplement to your pup’s meals, but talk to your vet before changing your pup’s diet.
Now a note from Lady about boiling vs. steaming:
When cooking veggies for monster mash, you can either boil or steam the veggies. Boiling takes a little longer and will result in some nutrients seeping into the water and the veggies will become pale and soft. The softened veggies can be ideal for puréeing veggies, and you can reabsorb the nutrients by using the cooking water to blend. Steaming veggies take less time than boiling and veggies maintain their color and more nutrients, but it can take a little longer and more energy to mash and purée. For more information about boiling vs. steaming, check out these great resources:
The Nest: Veggies for your dog
Livestrong: Boiling vs Steaming
That’s all for now! What’s your favorite mealtime treat? Tag @pugsquadsos and use the hashtag #ChefEmoji to share yours!
