This is a
recipe I use to tempt my African Grey, Chico, to eat
Harrison's Pellets
and other things that are good for him. As long as you keep the base
ingredients, it is possible to add or subtract items. For example, if
your bird needs added calcium, add it to the recipe. If your bird loves
raisons and nuts, these can also be added. It is not a good idea to add
any salt or sugar, as these are not good for any bird.
The recipe can be easily doubled, and the
loaves do freeze very well. Be sure to cut the slices before you freeze
them, for ease of use.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 2 loaf
pans (8 3/4 " x 4 1/2 " x 2 3/4 ' deep) by using spray on, fat
free vegetable or canola oil. (i.e. palm fat free)
2 cups organic unbleached flour
1/2 cup organic hulled sesame seed
1/2 cup ground flaxseed (I use a coffee grinder to grind the flaxseed)
1/2 cup Ground organic pumpkin seed (OR 1/2 cup cornmeal, when pumpkin
seed not available) you can add both if you
like.
4 teaspoons Baking Powder (no alum) (I get this at Caper's health food
store)
1 1/2 cups
Harrison's Lifetime Adult Fine Grind
1 cup Harrison's Lifetime Adult Coarse
Thoroughly mix dry ingredients.
In a fresh bowl, prepare wet ingredients as
follows:
1 cup Skinned mashed cooked yam ( approx. 1
medium yam)
1 cup grated carrots, well washed and peeled
1 medium sized, well washed zucchini, grated with peel
1/2 cup honey (natural liquid) pasteurized
2 fresh eggs beaten (preferably free range)
Mix wet ingredients thoroughly, then add to the
dry ingredients and stir until all dry ingredients are moist.
You will need to add some fresh juice at this
point to moisten (I usually add approx. 1/2 to 3/4 cup) The batter
should not be too wet or the loaves will be soggy in the middle.
Spoon the batter equally into the prepared loaf
pans and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Watch carefully during the last
20 minutes, as ovens vary, and changes in the recipe may cause the loaf
to take less time to cook through. The wetter the batter, the longer the
cooking time. However, do not let it burn on top, as it is better to
have a bit moister loaf than a burned one. Check for doneness by
inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaf. Loaf is done when
toothpick comes out clean.
NOTE: My reason for adding both the fine and
coarse of Harrison's pellets is that the fine cooks into the loaf
better, and the Coarse tends to stay whole within the loaf. This gives
the bird the added advantage of eating a whole Harrison's pellet, and
may start the ball rolling to eat them on their own!