From time to time we all deserve a treat, so do our pets, so why not create some super tasty and healthy pork jelly cupcakes for them to enjoy?

The recipe is a remake of my jellied pig trotters I cook for my dogs to help them with any potential joint problems. Jellied pigs trotters are rich in collagen and gelatine, which will help to maintain healthy bones and joints for longer. Normally they would have it for dinner but they love it so much that I’ve decided to turn it into a treat for the days when they eat chicken 🙂

If you have a small breed dog, maybe start with half of the ingredients below so your pooch has a chance to eat it all whilst it is still fresh. They will sit comfortably in the fridge for up to one week (just make sure they are placed in an airtight container).

Ingredients:

• 4 pig trotters (available in any larger supermarket, but best from your local butcher)
• ~2l water
• 100g fruit and veg dry dog flakes*

*if you don’t have or don’t want to buy any simply add some carrots, maybe a parsnip or an apple or some seaweed, just something with minerals and essential nutrients.

Method:

Pop trotters into a large cooking pot.

Fill it up with water, just enough to cover them, and then add additional 500ml of water.

Cook on a low heat for at least 12+ hours. The longer you cook them the easier it will be to remove all the bones. Minimum cooking time for it to turn into jelly is 3 hours. These days we normally cook a large batch once a week and leave it to simmer for 24h; after this time there it totally no problem with picking all bones out as they are simply at the bottom of the pot. Additionally the longer you let it cook the more goodness you will extract from the bones.

Once your cooking time is up, drain all the liquid into a clean pot or a large bowl.

Pick the bones out and BIN THEM.

Chop any remaining bits of trotter meat and skin into smaller chunks.

Now fill your silicone cupcakes moulds: a little bit of meat, some fruit and veggie flakes and fill up with the liquid, which over time will turn into awesome jelly.

Once cooled, pop into the fridge and allow to set completely (overnight will be best).

Then just feed to your dog as needed.

Both Lilly and Bunk go mad for them so I really hope your pooch will love them too.

As a final thought if you’re sensitive to smells you may want to get some essential oils going in the house or stock up on Febreze as the cooking does give off a strong odour. I have become used to it now a days but like I said, if you are sensitive you may not enjoy the experience.