Inspiring Recipes for Cooking and Baking With CBD
It's fair to say that our days mostly revolve around food. Planning what our next meal will be, or what we will do for dinner this evening, and whether we need to drop into the supermarket to keep up with that never-ending supply of essentials. This food-centric lifestyle has only been heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, where dinner was, for a time, the highlight of our lockdown-stricken days. Suppers had to be meticulously planned during the lockdown in order to keep unnecessary supermarket trips to a minimum. And at times during the lockdown, inspiration definitely ran dry for cooking diverse and exciting meals.
At MANTLE we have an inspiring new twist on your mundane meals, and that twist comes in the form of a cannabis-derived, entirely natural and organic chemical, known as CBD. We will be walking you through all the different ways you can integrate this widely-adored agent of self-care into everything from your porridge to your pasta. Trust us on this one; you'll want to keep reading!
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol has been gathering innumerable fans as an organic, entirely-natural wellness supplement. CBD is a naturally-occurring chemical found in the cannabis Sativa plant species, of which there are two strains: hemp and marijuana. Hemp is the variety from which CBD is extracted, due to its higher concentrations of this cannabinoid and lower THC content (THC being the compound found in cannabis that gets you 'high'). Marijuana and its derivatives, on the other hand, largely remain illegal, aside from in a number of countries and states- the reason for which we are about to explain.
CBD, in whatever cannabis variety it is found, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, used by many for its balancing qualities. It is the second most abundant cannabinoid in the plant - just after THC - and has been the subject of much speculation over the years. CBD and THC share many similar characteristics, yet they are also quite different in several ways.
THC, like CBD, comes from cannabis. However, THC is the famous psychotropic cannabinoid, known for causing an intoxicating euphoria when consumed in strong enough doses. Many CBD products will contain trace amounts of THC, but nowhere near enough to cause a high. In fact, the THC content in CBD products is legally restricted to 0.2% if you are in the UK and many EU countries, and 0.3% if you are in the US. Aside from CBD and THC, there are more than 100 other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, each with their own purported qualities and unique chemical make-up.
Presently, there are a vast number of CBD products out there to choose from, all with different delivery methods. There are CBD-infused capsules, vape oils for your vape pen, tinctures, edibles and even topicals for your skin. Here at MANTLE, we may be slightly biased, but we favour taking CBD in its oil form over any other method.
Our The Original Oil is extremely versatile. You can take it sublingually for centering, or you can drop some into a wide range of recipes and ingest it as you munch or sip on some tasty food or drink. Our CBD oil contains a range of other cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, not just CBD; making it what is called a broad-spectrum CBD extract. There is zero THC in broad-spectrum CBD oil to speak of. Still, there are dozens of other active compounds straight from the plant, including terpenes (our natural aromatic additives), flavonoids, vitamins, and fatty acids. The way all these active compounds collaborate with one another produces what is known as the "entourage effect", meaning they work best and bring out the most of your inner balance when working as a team. We also use coconut-derived MCT as the carrier oil for our CBD, and, most importantly, we provide lab test certificates for every batch of CBD we produce.
Why does CBD go so well with food?
CBD is an excellent match for food, a reality that is echoed in the numerous products on the market that mix the two (known as "edibles"). CBD chocolate and gummies are a wildly popular choice of CBD consumption - and for good reason. Edibles are easy to take, they are familiar, and often they do a great job of hiding CBD's earthy taste, for those who are averse to it.
CBD is also found in cooking oils, giving oils like olive, sunflower and coconut a run for their money in terms of all its centring qualities. The balancing effects of CBD make it a great addition to any recipe, so keep reading to discover all the best ways to pepper your food with this cannabinoid; morning, noon and night.
About cooking with cannabis
The first thing to bear in mind when thinking about your CBD cooking is that it should not be cooked in temperatures higher than 180 degrees celsius. Temperatures that exceed this could evaporate the infused CBD, resulting in a lot of wasted money and potential.
Furthermore, we recommend not including too much CBD in your homemade edibles the first time around. The best approach is always to start off with a relatively low dose and increase it the next time you cook with CBD, if you feel there wasn't enough. It really is all about balance!
It's always best to avoid taking CBD in edible form (and all other forms) if you are pregnant, nursing or family-planning.
Breakfast
One easy way to sneak in some CBD to your morning routine is by adding it to the most important meal of the day. That's right, whatever you make for breakfast, we recommend including cannabidiol for all the extra morning boost.
Smoothies
If you don't own a blender, you should really consider it! Smoothies are hugely popular, not only amongst the wellness fanatics out there, but for us mere mortals, too. Adored by many, smoothies are a great, easy and problem-free way of finding all your vital nutrients in one aesthetically-pleasing and highly palatable blend. Adding some drops of cannabidiol to a smoothie could enhance its nutritional value, and bring you all the unwinding effects that CBD offers, before your day even starts.
Some of the foods you might consider dropping into the blender, alongside a dose of CBD, include:
- Leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, chard and rocket
- Berries like blueberries, raspberries, goji berries, acai berries or strawberries
- Avocado
- Oats
- Greek yoghurt or kefir
- Nuts and seeds
- Pineapple
- Papaya
- Mango
- Almond butter/milk
- Ginger
Because of its earthy taste, CBD can add subtle notes of nature to a fruity, health-boosting smoothie. Top tip from us: when using a lot of leafy greens in your smoothie, be sure to balance things out with a lot of fruit and berries, to enhance the sweetness of your smoothie.
Porridge
Nothing says a cold winter's morning like a bowl of porridge. This nutritious breakfast staple can fuel you right through to lunchtime, especially when you introduce CBD into the mix.
Ingredients: 100g porridge oats, 400ml milk (or a non-dairy alternative), 1/2 mL 5% CBD oil, 1 tsp honey (optional), 1/4 cup mixed berries, cinnamon (for sprinkling), 1 tbsp peanut butter (optional).
Method: Pour the porridge oats and milk into a deep saucepan, or a bowl if microwaving. Simmer the oats and milk under medium heat and stir frequently until you have your desired porridge thickness. If microwaving, place the bowl into the microwave and turn it on at full power for 3 and 1/2 mins, checking every minute to see if the porridge is at the desired consistency, if not, stir, heat, and repeat until you get there.
Take the pan off the heat / remove the bowl from the microwave and add the honey and CBD oil. Add the mixed berries and sprinkle over some cinnamon. Add peanut butter on the side (or mix it in) and enjoy!
Coffee
Many of us can't start the day without that warming kick of caffeine. CBD can be a beautiful, balancing addition to the bitterness of your morning coffee, helping you to stay balanced.
For the coffee enthusiasts out there, there are plenty of pre-infused coffee beans that have already been blended with CBD. Or, if you prefer to measure out your own dose, we recommend purchasing a CBD oil to administer your own drops into your coffee. If you're more of a Starbucks type, drop some oil into your cappuccino grande for that lovely earthy twist.
Lunch
For some, lunch is a sandwich, or a small snack, rather than a multiple-course meal. For those better-versed in lunchtime catering, like our friends in France, Spain and Italy, lunch is a big deal; it can even mean hot meals of multiple courses and 2-hour breaks from work.
MANTLE has thought of some ideas for CBD-infused lunch dishes that accommodate the whole spectrum of lunch-eaters.
Salads
A zingy CBD salad dressing drizzled over your leaves is sure to give it the taste-boost you don't even know you're missing.
For a zesty lemon dressing, zest one and a half lemons and squeeze out about 30ml of juice. Chop up some garlic cloves and mix them into the lemon zest and lemon juice. Add some Dijon mustard and mayonnaise to the mix. Once nicely homogenised, add the CBD oil and stir well until all of the oil is completely absorbed.
For a tangy strawberry and orange dressing, you'll need to whisk together half a cup of orange juice, a 1⁄4 cup of raspberry vinegar, a 1⁄4 cup of olive oil, one tablespoon of honey (or more, to taste), two teaspoons Dijon mustard and some CBD oil. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
If you're partial to a dressing with sweet, nutty undertones for your leaves, why not mix together a teaspoon of lemon juice, a tablespoon of honey, five to eight drops (or less than 1ml) of CBD oil and three tablespoons of walnut oil? Finishing this mix with two tablespoons of white wine or red wine vinegar and some salt and pepper will pair gloriously with your lunchtime greens.
Soups
Soup is a great compromise between a quick yet nurturing, heartwarming meal; it is easy to slurp away at your soup while getting on with other tasks, and a hot bowl truly warms up the soul on a winter's day. Or a summer's day - soup is aseasonal.
Whether you've slaved over the hob and supervised the journey of your diced ingredients to this smooth thick soup, or it has come straight out of the carton and into the microwave, adding some CBD drops to your soup is a great way to enhance the flavours and reap its balancing effects easily.
Pasta
Who doesn't love pasta? Even if you aren't as crazy about this Italian dish as we are, you have to admit it is one of the most malleable cooking bases in existence, with which you can do just about anything.
A few drops of CBD oil in a cheesy white sauce for a carbonara or your go-to truffle pasta dish is the perfect way to incorporate CBD into a savoury dish. Equally, a pan-cooked pasta bake with notes of CBD is an ideal way to sneak in your daily CBD intake.
Curries
A cannabis-infused curry is a winning dish as far as we are concerned. Suppose you are big on the already aromatic flavours that go into an Indian, Caribbean, or Thai curry? In that case, we think you'll agree that CBD-infused coconut oil will polish off the flavours beautifully. Since curries often make use of the coconut flavour anyway, the subtle notes of CBD will only enhance the taste and the wellness benefits of a hearty, steamy curry.
Remember to slow cook your curry at a temperature below 180 degrees celsius, to preserve the CBD!
And of course, any of these lunch dishes can also be used for dinnertime, too!
Sweet treats
If you're a sweet tooth and you want a low-key way to start infusing CBD into your diet, we think there is no better way than to do so with desserts. There are a multitude of recipes out there for weaving this cannabinoid into your cakes and brownies, like the following:
CBD brownies
Prep time: 20 mins
Baking time: 30 mins
Ingredients: 240g ground almonds, 50g cocoa powder, 180g coconut sugar, 50g coconut oil melted and cooled to room temperature, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt,10ml CBD oil, 2 eggs, 120ml plant-based milk, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 200g dark chocolate chips.
Method: Preheat oven to 160 C. Line a 20 x 20cm brownie tray with baking paper and grease. In a large bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients. In a second bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Add in ¾ of the chocolate chips and stir to combine.
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared brownie tray, and use a spatula to even out the top. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the top of the brownie and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Use the baking paper to lift the cooled brownies out of the pan, then cut into 9 and serve.
CBD carrot cake
Prep time: Around 25 mins
Baking time: 1 hour
Ingredients: 9 ″ x 13″ cake pan greased, 2 cups plain flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, teaspoon and 1⁄4 of salt, 3 eggs, 1 cup of buttermilk, 1 cup of Vegetable Oil mixed with 2 tbsp CBD oil istället, 1 cup of sugar, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 2 cups of shredded carrots, 1 cup of flaked coconut, 1 cup of chopped walnuts, 1 cup of raisins
Frosting: hand mixer or electric beater, a cup of butter, softened; 1 cup of cream cheese, 4 cups of icing sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Method: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, then sift together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside. Then, in a separate bowl, combine the eggs, buttermilk, CBD oil & vegetable oil mix, sugar and vanilla. Mix well.
After that, add the flour mixture to the oil mixture and stir well. Mix the shredded carrots, coconut, walnuts and raisins in a separate bowl. Add this carrot mixture to the batter and mix thoroughly.
Pour the batter into a pan and bake for 1 hour, sticking a toothpick into it and ensuring it comes out clean. If baked all the way through, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool.
For the icing, fetch a medium bowl and combine the butter, cream cheese, icing sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla to make the frosting. Beat this until the mixture is smooth and creamy. When the cake is sufficiently cooled, decorate it with the icing and store it in the fridge.
Gooey chocolate chip CBD cookies
Prep time: 20 mins
Baking time: 20 mins
Ingredients: About 2 cups minus 1 tbsp of almond flour, 1 2/3 cup bread/gluten-free flour, 1 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 3 tsp cornstarch, 200 mg CBD, 1 1/4 cup unsalted butter (or your favourite dairy-free alternative), 1 1/4 cup dark brown sugar 1 cup plus 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 2 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 1/4 pounds dark chocolate pieces sifted to remove any chocolate shards/dust, to taste sea salt (ideally Maldon or Fleur de sel).
Method: Sift together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch and salt in a bowl. Set aside. Using a mixer, cream the butter, CBD and sugars together until they form a very light batter. This should take roughly 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each egg goes in.
Next, stir in the vanilla. Reduce the speed of the mixer to low, add all the dry ingredients and mix until just combined, for around 5 to 10 seconds. Fold in the chocolate. Cover the dough in cling film and place in the fridge for 24 to 36 hours. The dough should not be refrigerated for more than 72 hours.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius once it is ready to bake. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. Scoop 6 golf-ball-sized dollops of cookie batter onto the baking tray. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden-brown, but still soft (for that gooey finish). Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, before removing and leaving the tray to sit and cool for 10 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack for further cooling before serving.
If you aren't quite ready to put on your chef's hat, there are a tonne of ready-made CBD sweet treats out there. CBD gummies and chocolate is a great fuss-free way of getting your CBD fix, without all the mess of baking.
Evening drinks
Long day? A CBD cocktail is the best way to unwind. From cosmos to margaritas, to a classic gin and tonic, CBD can be blended into pretty much any alcohol mix, and works well with most spirits.
Some of the CBD-infused cocktails we love are:
- CBD Pimm's: 60ml Pimm's, one cup. 22ml lemon juice, 15ml simple syrup, 3 cucumber slices, 30ml ginger beer, some drops of a 15 mg CBD tincture. Chop up some of your fruity favourites and drop them into your glass for that refreshing final touch.
- CBD Mojito: 50 ml white rum, 25 ml fresh lime juice, 25 ml sugar syrup, 50 ml sparkling water, 8-10 mint leaves and shaved ice, drops of a CBD tincture.
- CBD Margarita: 45ml tequila, 45ml triple sec, around 45 ml lime juice, 1 dropper of CBD oil, lime wedges.
- CBD Spritz: 30ml vodka, 30ml Aperol, 60ml sparkling wine, a dropper of CBD tincture and an orange slice to garnish.
We hope we have given you some inspiration on how you can take your CBD consumption to the next level, by making this cannabinoid a staple part of your diet with some of the tasty treats we have explored!