Tasha's Tuna Cakes

Makes 24 to 40 cakes

I often make these tuna cakes and freeze them. This is a great dinner for a last-minute "What do I feed?" situation. You can take them straight from the freezer and reheat them in a toaster oven or oven. Remember, never serve your cat or dog hot food. These cakes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

2 cups plain dry bread crumbs
4 tablespoons plain wheat germ
2 x 9 ounce cans tuna
2 eggs
1 cup cooked brown rice
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, or VA tablespoons parsley flakes
1 tablespoon brewer's yeast
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped broccoli
4 tablespoons melted butter

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the bread crumbs and wheat germ and set aside.

3. Put the tuna, eggs, rice, parsley, brewer's yeast, celery, and broccoli in a blender or food processor and blend
    for 1 to 2 minutes or until the large chunks are gone; the mixture should not be runny. Pour into a bowl.

4. Form the mixture into 24 to 40 patties that are about 1 inch in diameter and about 1 inch thick.
    Coat each side well with the bread crumbs-wheat germ mixture.

5. Place the patties on the cookie sheet and drizzle melted butter over each one. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Let cool and serve.

Variation: Substitute salmon, mackerel, or sardines for the tuna.

Recipe Add-Ins: Catnip and Fish Flakes

We all know that cats love fish, but did you know that they also need to have a small amount of greens? If your cat loves catnip, then a fun project is to grow your own. Many pet stores and some all-natural markets sell already-started grow-your-own catnip.

You can cut off some fresh catnip and add it to any one of the recipes in this chapter. Not all cats respond to catnip; you will know whether your own cat likes it or not. Test your cat after she reaches 6 months of age.

You can add fish flakes to any of these recipes, too; they are a great source of protein and add a nice flavor. I like to sprinkle them on top of my pets' kibble before baking. I also add them to the tops of my loaves and pasta dishes. You can buy fish flakes at any Asian market; some larger supermarkets stock them in the foreign food section.