Alright, all you budding chefs (pun intended), gather round! Today, we spill the beans on how to shake, bake, and create delightful dishes that’ll get more than just your taste buds tingling. The consumption of cannabis is nothing new, of course - space cakes and hash cookies have been around for decades. In fact, as far back as 1843, Le Club des Hachichins, or Hashish Eaters’ Club, was established in Paris, with members including such luminaries as revered author Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas and Dr Jacques-Joseph Moreau.
Unfortunately, these enlightened scholars weren't quite as handy in the kitchen as they were behind a desk. Rather than whip up a batch of delicious brownies, they would consume Dawamesc, a greenish paste made from cannabis resin mixed with fat, honey, and pistachios. The French are rightly recognised as culinary masters, but these chaps? Maybe not so much.
Thankfully, the art of cooking with cannabis has evolved, and between experimental stoners and creative pro chefs, there's an endless cookbook full of wonderful ways to cook weed. You're spoiled for choice, whether you like sweet or savoury, entrees, mains or desserts. But the best news of all? Cooking with cannabis is as straightforward or complex as you want it to be. Want to throw together something quick and easy? There are recipes for that. Fancy going all-out and making a sumptuous five-course meal for your stoner social set? Plenty of options there, too.
For the sake of brevity, we'll keep it light here. If you've always wanted to try your hand, this article provides a quick and easy guide to getting your beak wet in the world of DIY edibles.
Decarboxylation - A Necessary Step In Edible Creation
Before we begin, let's get a wee bit scientific. Have you heard of decarboxylation? No, it’s not the spell Hermione used to fight off the Death Eaters. It's the magical process of turning your cannabis from a mere herb into a potent ingredient fit to grace any meal.
Thankfully, its name is more daunting than its actual execution. In simpler words, decarboxylation turns the THCA in your bud into THC, which is what gives you the "That 70s Show" feeling. This process ensures you get the good stuff, and heat activates the transformation. A common misconception is that eating buds is enough to get you giddy. Raw cannabis doesn’t get you high, so if you're planning a nice salad, the Devil's Lettuce on its own won't cut it. You have to heat your greens before you eat your greens!
How To Decarboxylate Your Cannabis
- Preheat your oven to 220°F (105°C). Keep it low and slow.
- Grind your cannabis - but not too finely. Think breadcrumbs, not fairy dust.
- Spread it evenly on a baking sheet.
Bake for about 30-40 minutes. Give it a gentle mix halfway through. Once it’s turned a light brown colour and smells a bit like roasted nuts (or a Cypress Hill concert), it's ready!
Simple Cannabis-infused Recipes
1. Cannabutter: The Root of All Edibles
By learning how to make cannabutter, you're halfway to becoming a master of cooking with cannabis. Cannabutter forms the basis of many weed-infused treats, so once you've figured this out, you can add it to a veritable truckload of foods to make them adult-friendly. Baked is the operative word here.
- Melt butter in a saucepan on low heat.
- Add your decarboxylated cannabis.
- Simmer on very low heat for 2-3 hours.
- Strain it to remove the plant matter.
- Chill, (the cannabutter - but you can chill, too) and use like regular butter.
2. Cannabis-infused Olive Oil
A simple way to add zing to savoury dishes, cannabis-infused olive proves you can get high on salad.
- Warm some olive oil in a saucepan.
- Toss in your decarboxylated bud.
- Simmer for a couple of hours.
- Strain and pour into a bottle. Use this in salads or drizzle over pizza if you're feeling fancy.
3. Pot Brownies (Because Classic)
Who doesn't love a pot brownie? The good news is they are as easy to make as they are delicious, and as delicious as they are potent. You don't need grandma's assistance here; a simple box of store-bought brownie mix does the job nicely.
Ingredients:
- Your cannabutter
- Brownie mix (or your favourite recipe)
- And a pinch of mischief
Instructions:
- Just replace the regular butter with cannabutter in your brownie recipe.
- Follow the packet instructions and bake.
See? Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the best. Just try not to eat the whole pan at once! The same rules apply to making cannabis cookies – if you have a recipe, add cannabutter. Otherwise, add it to a packet mix for a quick and easy favourite.
Tips For Making And Consuming Edibles
- When consuming edibles, start slow. It’s not a race to the moon - you will get there in time, and it will be spectacular.
- Wait before having seconds. Edibles can take a while to kick in - anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours, and if you overdo it, you'll need some recovery tips. Be patient.
- Mix well. No one wants a bite that sends them to another dimension while the next does nothing.
Wrap Up
In the world of experimental cooking, there’s no argument - cannabis is the seasoning to beat all others. But it’s not just about getting high; it's about enjoying the journey there, having a laugh, and maybe, just maybe, thinking you’re the next MasterChef. Food and fun go hand in hand, and when cannabis is on the menu, it's bound to be a meal to remember. Shake, bake, and, for heaven’s sake, dose responsibly!
Bon appétit, fly safely, and don't forget to do the washing-up.
