Super Eco

Photo credit: twinrexes, stock.xchng

I admit it: I'm scared of cooking grease. But as much as I resist having to deal with hot, popping fat on the stovetop, I dread even more figuring out how to properly dispose of used grease. So my ears perked up and my tail wagged more than a little when I heard about turning bacon grease into doggie treats.

Cooking Up a Story's recipe slideshow on using leftover animal fat to make homemade dog treats is absolutely inspired. While we might recommend caution using peanut butter in light of recent peanut-related recalls, this recipe just might be the one that keeps you from trying to sneak bacon grease down the drain "just this once."

Of course, nothing prevents you from using leftover bacon fat to boost flavor in recipes for your favorite humans, too. Try a little in soups, pastas and hearty winter dishes like root vegetables and casseroles. But whether it ends up on a plate for your two-legged friends or a bowl for your four-legged ones, we do encourage you to keep leftover grease out of your kitchen drain.