Hi guys,

I’m busy, busy, busy developing Canada Day treats and working to pay for my glamourous lifestyle (!) – so in the meantime, I thought I’d share a favourite Fido & Wine recipe with you – this one was helmed by the talented host herself, Laura Ducharme! For our Luau episode, we wanted to do a version of the Hawaiian treasure, Kalua Pua’a. Basically, a Hawaiian pork roast. Traditionally, it’s prepared in the Hawaiian “imu” or underground rock oven. Well, since we didn’t have one of those kicking around, a slow cooker was called to duty, and it did a bang up job.

Laura came up with a brilliant spin on another Hawaiian fave, Poi (mashed taro root). It was Canada meets Hawaii when hot Taro root fries were smothered in gravy and chunks of melty cheese curds – a different and delicious version of what some may consider our national dish, Poutine (fries smothered in gravy & cheese curds). She very cleverly named this taro version “Poi-tine”.

We made Pulled Pork Sliders with a side of Poitine for the two-legged set, and the dogs got a (cooled down) bowl of Poitine covered with not only the cheese and gravy – but also with the pulled pork!! DELICIOUSNESS!

Kahlua Pua’a:
INGREDIENTS
Pork Butt
Banana Leaf
Kitchen String
2 Cups of Broth or Water
Olive Oil
Pinch of Sea Salt
Fresh Rolls

Place pork on banana leaf. Season with sea salt and drizzle with olive oil. Wrap pork in banana leaf and tie up with string. Place in the slow cooker, add broth. The pork will take about 6 hours to cook, it should fall apart. When pork is finished place on plate, unwrap, and use fork to shred the meat. Place meat on the roll and dress with gravy.

Gravy:
INGREDIENTS
Juices from Slow Cooker
1-4 TBS flour

Transfer juices from slow cooker to pot. Set burner to medium and whisk in flour to desired consistency.

Poitine:
INGREDIENTS
1 large Taro Root
200 grams of cheese curds
Gravy

Peel Taro root. Cut into half inch thick strips and blanch in cold water for appx. 1 hour. Dry them off well. Deep fry or bake in oven at 425 degrees until crispy and cooked through. Break fries into small pieces, then dress with gravy and cheese curds. Let cool before serving to dogs.

Fido & Wine airs on The Pet Network and ichannel in Canada.

Aloha!

* Please note that I’m neither a vet nor an animal nutritionist, so it’s advisable to consult with your own authority when trying new foods, and also to ensure that your dog’s home cooked diet is balanced & includes all of the nutrients that are necessary for your dog’s health.