ODIN'S WHOLESOME HARVEST LOAF
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Description:
For the beloved four-legged members of our family, nothing says "I love you"
quite like a special, homemade meal. This recipe was lovingly crafted right here
at The Belle House, inspired by our handsome German Shepherd mix, Odin. We
wanted to create something packed with pure, wholesome goodness to support his
vibrant health, and this beautiful harvest loaf is the delicious result.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Yields: Approx. 6 cups (serves as a meal topper or special meal)

--- INGREDIENTS ---
- 2 cups sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes (about 1 large sweet potato)
- 1/2 cup uncooked tricolor quinoa, rinsed thoroughly
- 1/2 cup uncooked brown lentils, rinsed
- 4 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth (ensure it contains no onion or garlic)
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 medium carrot, finely grated
- 1/2 cup 100% pure pumpkin purée
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed

--- INSTRUCTIONS ---
1. Cook the Base: In a medium saucepan, combine the diced sweet potato, rinsed
   quinoa, rinsed lentils, and water/broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat
   to a low simmer. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes
   are tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
2. Preheat Oven: While the base is cooking, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   Lightly grease a standard loaf pan (or use a silicone one).
3. Mash and Mix: Once the sweet potato and lentil mixture is cooked, mash it
   roughly with a potato masher or a large fork directly in the pot. The texture
   should be lumpy, not a complete purée.
4. Combine Ingredients: To the pot, add the cooked brown rice, frozen peas, grated
   carrot, pumpkin purée, and ground flaxseed. Stir everything together until
   thoroughly combined. The mixture will be thick and hearty.
5. Form the Loaf: Transfer the mixture into your prepared loaf pan, pressing it
   down firmly and smoothing the top.
6. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the loaf is firm to the touch and
   slightly browned on top.
7. Cool Completely: This is a crucial step! Let the loaf cool completely in the pan
   before slicing and serving. This allows it to set properly.
8. Serve or Store: Serve a portion appropriate for your dog's size, either on its
   own or mixed with their regular food. Store leftovers in an airtight container
   in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze individual slices for later use.

--- CHEF'S NOTES ---
Safety First: This recipe is free of common ingredients that are toxic to dogs
like onions, garlic, grapes, and xylitol. Always ensure any ingredients you use,
like broth, are free from these items.
Consult Your Vet: This recipe is intended as a supplemental treat or meal
topper. Every dog is an individual with unique nutritional needs. It's always
best practice to consult with your veterinarian before making significant
changes to your dog's diet.
Texture is Key: Mashing the base mixture while still leaving some texture and
grating the carrots ensures everything is easily digestible for your canine
companion.
Assumptions:
Calculations are based on the use of water instead of broth. Using low-sodium
broth may slightly increase sodium content.
Nutritional information is an estimate based on standard ingredient values from
the USDA database and may vary.
The recipe yields approximately 6 one-cup servings.