Cooking for Dogs Sweet Bell Pepper Salad

I don’t care what Punxsutawney Phil says. Spring has Sprung here in Vancouver.

It has been bright, sunny and beautiful this week. It’s staying light longer and we’ve even been able to sneak in some walks in the early evening dusk. This unexpected change in weather has left us craving fresh, vibrant foods at Casa de Kolchak. It’s time to ditch the warm, gooey comfort foods of winter and embrace a nice, fresh salad.

That’s right. The dogs at our house eat salad.

I know it sounds absolutely crazy. Produce isn’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when you think of dog treats. Even I was surprised the first time I dropped a carrot and Felix made off with it like a little thief, but I swear it’s 100% true. I’ve come to learn that dogs like all sorts of vegetables, but one really gets mine more than any other.

Sweet Bell Peppers drive the doggies wild.

Yellow. Red. Orange. It doesn’t matter what colour; as soon as there are bell peppers out on the chopping block, both dogs are underfoot trying to “out-cute” each other and score themselves a snack.

Cooking for dogs? Give a pup a pepper.

Sweet bell peppers make an excellent, guilt-free snack for pups and their people. This low calorie veggie has only 30 calories in a whole cup and its chock full of vitamins and nutrients. This brightly coloured vegetable is rich in carotenoids, a substance believed to promote good health and decrease your odds of developing a chronic illness. Ripe peppers are a great source of antioxidants, vitamins A & C, and they contain substances that can help to control inflammation.

Plus they make for a really tasty salad.

Everyone at our house is wild about this simple and flavourful salad. It’s easy to make and since it is Fido friendly, you don’t have to feel guilty for caving in when your dog turns on those adorable puppy eyes. I can never resist slipping Kolchak and Felix a bite or two of this yummy treat.

3 sweet bell peppers; one red, one yellow & one orange
2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
A small amount of garlic paste (like the size of a pea)

Wash peppers well and slice them into fine ribbons. If desired, mix the garlic paste into the olive oil. In a medium bowl, toss together peppers, parsley or cilantro & dressing. (I know it doesn’t sound like much dressing, but it’s just right!) Humans will appreciate a dash of salt and pepper on top. Serve alone, as a starter or add your favourite meat to make it a meal. This salad paired perfectly with the grilled steak I served for dinner, but we even love it mixed with quinoa for a nice meatless option.