Let them Eat Biscuits

So my dad made me another batch of Dog Bones with the recipe from the Four Seasons Boston. This time instead of using the rim of a small round glass to cut out circle shapes, he used some bone-shaped cookie cutters that he purchased online. While he was online he also purchased the You Bake'Em Dog Biscuits Cookbook. The book has recipes for all sorts of yummy treats from simple cheddar biscuits to meatballs to fancy liver puree. All the recipes are relatively simple and the author's husband is a pastry chef-instructor at the Institute for Culinary Education in New York City. I would guess she consulted with him on some of the recipes. I think the pumpkin pie biscuits sound so good. I love pumpkin. And I think around the holidays I will definitely volunteer for a little taste testing if my parents make the red and green christmas cookies for our doggie friends. I don't think we will be making any for Wink (remember, the one-eyed Chihuahua) though. You see, we were on our daily walk up the hill the other day, on Halloween, when we ran into Wink's mom Martha. My parents said hello and exchanged pleasantries. I don't know where Wink was. He is usually out running back and forth along the fenceline barking his fool head off. Not today though. Anyway, during their brief conversation my parents asked Martha if she was ready for Halloween and Martha kinda sheepishly replied that she had a few treats that she could scrounge up for the kids (I, of course, think she was referring to the dog treats my parents made for Wink way last Christmas). Well my parents being the anti-social beings they are laughed and said they were going to leave all the lights off and read by candlelight to discourage little ghosts and goblins from visiting. It was only then that Martha admitted that she was planning to do the same. Not a very friendly or festive street I thought. Martha (needlessly) went on to explain that she had the "dog people" over the night before and that was her Halloween celebration. Well! Excuse me Martha! First of all, I'm a little confused as to what dog people are exactly. I think I do remember an episode of Bewitched where a spell was cast that turned Darren into a cocker spaniel. I may, however, be confusing this with a similar plotline from Lost in Space. In any case, if there were ever dog people it would have to be my parents. Thanks for inviting us said dad. And that's why I think Wink is not going to be on our Christmas list this year.

Well, as I see it, Wink's loss is Suddie's gain. You see I can't get enough of biscuits and treats and don't really get the point of sharing. Except maybe with Toby. Wink looks a bit bloated in my opinion. Simultaneously tiny and bloated. Which reminds me that the cookbook has a chapter for pudgy pooches with items like Herbalicious Biscuits and Oatmeal Garlic Cookies. After throwing the Dog Bone Biscuits in the oven my dad decided to try the Cheddar Biscuits from the new cookbook too. The recipe calls for a food processor, but my dad just kneaded everything together by hand and they came out just great. We also changed the name to Parmesan Cheddar Biscuits because they contain Parmesan as well as cheddar and it just sounds fancier. That's important in case my parents decide to serve them at a little impromptu cocktail party or what not. And they just might. They sure ate enough of this batch. You know. If there aren't any crackers in the cupboard why not just eat Suddie's Parmesan Cheddar Biscuits (I just decided to add my name to the recipe title too). Well, I guess they really are just crackers shaped like dog bones, but, I mean, haven't you guys ever heard of Triscuits?

Here's the recipe.

Suddie's Parmesan Cheddar Biscuits

Dogs love cheese. Any type of cheese will do for this recipe, so if you don't have cheddar on hand, try mozarella, Swiss, or any other cheese you have in the refrigerator. People love crackers. So if an unexpected guest arrives with a bottle of wine and the cupboard is bare, let them eat biscuits.

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup milk
Grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Put flour and cheese into food processor. Pulse to mix. (My dad skips the food processor and just mixes and kneads everything together). Add butter and milk. Mix well. Turn out onto a floured surface and roll out to a 1/4- to 1/2- inch thickness. Poke with tines of fork and sprinkle with finely grated Parmesan cheese. Cut into shapes with cookie cutter. Place on baking sheet covered with greased or non-stick foil ( I didn't know there is such a thing as non-stick foil, but my dad skipped this part too. He did lightly oil the baking sheet with canola oil). Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

On second thought, let them eat crackers. I'm saving these biscuits for myself. They're cheesilicious.