Healthy Recipes
Slow-Simmered Chicken Cartilage & Collagen Gelatin Squares
“Rich, wobble-textured natural gelatin squares made from slow-cooked chicken feet and knuckle cartilage to rebuild joint fluid and nourish paw pad resilience.”
Ingredients
- 500g fresh raw chicken feet and cartilage knuckles (nails clipped off with kitchen shears)
- 4 cups filtered water (enough to submerge the cartilage by at least one inch)
- 1 tablespoon raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar (with the 'mother', essential to extract mineral matrix)
- 1/2 inch knob of fresh ginger root (peeled and lightly smashed to assist digestion)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground Ceylon cinnamon (safe, low-coumarin variety for circulation support)
Health Notes
Verification
“Extracted chicken cartilage is one of nature's richest sources of bioavailable Type II collagen, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid. As rainy weather persists into September, daily gelatin supplementation replenishes synovial joint fluid and accelerates paw pad healing.”
Perfect For
Excellent for senior dogs, dogs with hip dysplasia, and growing large-breed puppies
Shiro's Method
Scrub the chicken feet thoroughly under cold running water, snipping off the tip of each claw with sturdy kitchen shears.
Place the prepared feet, knuckles, ginger, and apple cider vinegar into a heavy stockpot or electric pressure cooker. Let sit for 15 minutes before applying heat.
If using a traditional stockpot, bring to a rolling boil, skim off any foam on the surface, then lower the flame to the lowest setting. Cover tightly and simmer for 5 to 6 hours.
If using a pressure cooker, cook on high pressure for 75 minutes, followed by natural pressure release.
Carefully strain the rich golden liquid through a fine-mesh wire sieve into a heat-resistant rectangular glass dish. Discard all cooked bones immediately; never allow your dog access to cooked chicken bones.
Whisk the ground Ceylon cinnamon into the hot broth until dissolved.
Allow the dish to cool on the countertop for 30 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. The liquid will set into a firm, clear, wobbly jelly.
Slice the gelatin block into clean 1-inch squares using a sharp knife.
Storage
Refrigerate in a covered glass dish for up to 7 days, or freeze individual squares on a tray for up to 3 months.
Serving Amount
1 square daily for small dogs, 2 to 3 squares daily for large breeds like Golden Retrievers.
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