Who doesn't like sweet treats? I mean, apart from a very few of us! Some dessert after a nice meal or a quick snack now and then- sweets make up a pretty big part of our lives. And how can we indulge in these sweet sensations and not share them with our dogs? That just seems so unfair! Traditional Indian sweets cannot be shared with our dogs due to their high sugar content and the fact that they are mostly made with milk, both of which are big no-nos for dogs.
Take Ras Malai, for example. It is super sweet, made with paneer dunked in lots of sugar and milk. I have recreated this dish with dog-friendly ingredients so that you can indulge your dogs once in a while with a “sweet” treat without any of the guilt. It is made with dog-friendly ingredients like paneer, curd, and fruits, which I am sure will earn you a few extra joyful licks.
Ras Malai for Dogs: Full Recipe
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 200 g paneer
- 200 ml curd
- 300 ml water for the paneer discs
- 200 ml water for the syrup
- 2 slices of apple
- 25 g beetroot
- 1/4 tsp honey (optional; make sure it is natural and unsweetened)
Instructions
For the paneer discs
- Crush the paneer well with your fingers until it resembles crumbs. I mention using your fingers specifically because you will not get the desired texture using spoons and forks.
- Knead the paneer crumbs well to achieve a soft and smooth consistency.
- Now, take small, equal portions of the paneer and flatten them into 6 discs.
- Boil 300 ml of water in a wide pan. Carefully drop the paneer discs into it, cover, and let them cook for 10 minutes.
- Take the discs out and strain them well. Keep them aside on a plate to cool to room temperature.
For the ras (syrup)
- In a bowl, mix 200 ml of curd with 200 ml of water.
- You can add a bit of honey at this point if you want.
- Mix everything well.
Assembly
- Pour the diluted curd into a serving bowl.
- Add the paneer discs, one by one, to the curd syrup.
- Chop the apples into small pieces and add them to the dish to resemble cashews and almonds.
- Thinly slice the beetroot so that it resembles strands of saffron.
- Garnish the dish with the beetroot slices.
Your delicious Ras Malai for dogs is ready to serve!
Nutritional Benefits
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Paneer: It is a good non-meat source of protein and is rich in calcium. It also has a relatively low lactose content.
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Curd: A natural probiotic that supports digestion and helps strengthen immunity.
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Apple: A good source of polyphenols, natural antioxidants, and soluble fibre that helps support gut health.
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Beetroot: It is low in calories and contains potassium and vitamin B9 (folate).
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Honey: Natural, unsweetened honey in tiny quantities may be safe for some dogs. Do not add honey if your dog has health issues like diabetes. If your dog has gut issues, consult your vet before offering it. Avoid it completely when in doubt. Do not give honey to puppies under one year old, as raw honey can contain botulism spores.
Notes for Pet Parents
- You can replace the diluted curd with lactose-free milk, like goat's milk or oat milk. Boil the milk, if required, and let it cool before adding the paneer discs to it.
- Please introduce any new ingredient gradually and observe your dog for adverse reactions.
- This dish cannot be a replacement for your dog's regular meal. It is great as an occasional treat.
- Always ensure fresh drinking water is available for your dogs.
- You can refrigerate this dish and serve it the next day as well. Keep in mind that both paneer and curd can spoil rather quickly if left out in the open.
No excuses now to enjoy delish Ras Malai without your dogs relishing their dog-friendly versions, too!
Happy cooking!
Thank you to canine nutritionist Arpita Thakur for vetting this recipe!
