Cooking with CBD – Tips and Tricks

Health Benefits of CBD Oil

Hemp-derived CBD oil, unlike THC, is legal in all 50 states.

According to clinical research, some well-known health benefits of CBD include helping you enhance your well-being. Depending on your build, it may also lessen the intensity of stress and difficulty sleeping. It encourages enhanced cognition and focus and supports wellness and balance, which can supplement your lifestyle.

Besides its many potential health benefits, CBD oil can be a tool for improving your cuisine. Not only is it being used in health and beauty products, but the CBD market is booming in the culinary sphere. Instead of using olive oil, consumers are utilizing CBD oil, which also contains the beneficial omega fats that olive oil boasts.

Tips for Cooking with CBD Oil

There are several important things to keep in mind when cooking with CBD oil. Stick to high-quality oil by making sure you use reputable brands.

When you begin cooking, use small amounts and see whether the changes in flavor and texture are to your taste. If you’re unsure how your body will react to CBD, use it in small doses on food items first and observe your body’s response before applying larger quantities.

Make sure the oil is stored in a dry, cool location so that it remains fresh for longer periods.

CBD binds best with recipes containing fat or butter-like substrates like ghee or coconut oil.

CBD also goes great as a topping, especially when drizzled on smoothies, soups, pasta sauces, pizza, avocado toast, pesto, eggs, butter-baked goods, lattes, chia pudding, and salad dressing.

While cooking, make sure not to heat CBD directly because, at high temperatures, it begins to evaporate and lose its potency. CBD’s boiling point is between 320 and 356°F. Higher temperatures can cause the CBD oil to lose its benefits.

How Does CBD Taste?

CBD has a distinct and organic taste since it is derived from hemp, though the flavor can vary based on the extraction method of the oil. This flavor originates from the terpene compound that composes it, which is volatile and is known to give plants their unique smell. Those who taste CBD may find the flavor strange in the beginning because it is an acquired taste that can improve the overall flavor of your meal.

One great benefit of CBD is that its flavor can be combined with your cooking oil so that the meal’s flavor is not drastically changed.

CBD Activation

When it comes to infusing CBD into your food, it can be difficult to find the most effective method. Consider investing in products that can facilitate the CBD integration process like the Ardent Nova decarboxylator, which works to activate the hemp. The Magical Butter machine can also be used afterward to infuse the oil into your food mixtures. These products are a large initial investment, but if you are committed to utilizing CBD with your food, they can make a great addition to your kitchen tools.

CBD in Food & Drinks

There are a variety of ways to introduce CBD into your everyday cooking recipes. Some of our favorites include:

CBD Smoothie Bowl

Making a Sunday brunch for you and your friends? A CBD Smoothie Bowl combines a classic breakfast bowl with the traditional smoothie.

You need a ¼ cup of frozen strawberries, ¼ cup of mangos, ½ cup of Pitaya, also known as Dragon Fruit, ½ of a banana, and a full dropper of CBD extract.

Blend all the ingredients and pour the mixture into a bowl.

Add some slices of banana and a cup of granola as a garnish on top, and you have a unique treat to spice up your brunch menu.

Toast and Butter with a Twist

Enjoy a CBD-rich breakfast by adding cannabidiol butter to your morning toast.

To prepare the CBD-butter simply add 2 cups of chopped butter and one cup of water and 20 ml of CBD oil to a small pot. Heat on a low heat and stir consistently for 2 hours until the water evaporates.

Once the water has evaporated, let the butter cool and pour the mixture into a jar or bowl. Allow the mixture to continue cooling in a fridge until it has solidified and store in the fridge until ready to use.

Coffee with Benefits

To improve your sense of focus, try enhancing your coffee by adding CBD oil. Caffeine enthusiasts who already use coconut oil in their coffee will appreciate this coffee with a CBD-twist.

All you need to make this coffee is 1-2 tbsp. of butter (preferably grass-fed) and 2 tbsp. of CBD-infused coconut oil. Combine these ingredients in a blender until the texture is frothy and add to your coffee for a delightful pick me up anytime of the day.

Non-Traditional Pesto Pasta

Pasta fans will love this simple pesto recipe that is ideal for lunch or dinner. All you need for this easy recipe is 2 cups of basil leaves, ½ cup of pine or walnuts, 3 cloves of garlic, ¾ cup of grated cheese (preferably hard), and ½ cup of CBD oil.

Pulse the basil, nuts, and garlic in a food processor until they form a slightly wet, coarse, paste. Combine the paste with the CBD oil and cheese. Toss the pesto with hot pasta and enjoy!

Gluten-free CBD Oil Salad Dressing

This dressing is ideal with an arugula and goat cheese salad. Combine ¼ cup of crumbled goat cheese, 1½ cups of sliced strawberries, and 7 oz. of baby arugula.

In a blender puree one cup of strawberries, 2 tbsp. of red wine vinegar, one tsp. of apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp. of olive oil, and ½ a dropper of CBD oil for a guilt-free salad dressing. Drizzle the dressing over the salad for an incredibly delicious entrée or side-dish.

Cookies & Cannabidiol

After finishing dinner, there’s nothing like a great dessert to satiate your craving for something sweet. CBD-derived cookies can hit the spot!  Preheat your oven to 350°F while mixing 0.5 oz. of CBD oil with one cup of brown sugar, 2 tsps. of vanilla extract, one cup of white sugar, and one cup of softened butter. Mix in 2 eggs, one at a time.

Stir the mixture and add one tsp. of baking soda and 2 tsps. of hot water. Add a pinch of salt, 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips, and 3 cups of flour and stir to create a soft batter. Drop small scoops of the dough onto an ungreased pan and place it in the oven for about 10 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown.

Hot Chocolate à la CBD

There’s nothing like a steaming hot mug of hot chocolate when the temperature drops. If you are feeling the winter blues, add some CBD to your hot chocolate for a boost of energy.

Melt one cup of chocolate chips using a double boiler and stir in 1-2 teaspoons of CBD oil. Allow the mixture to heat without coming to a boil and remove from heat. Add some organic milk and stir. Let the hot liquid cool for 5-10 minutes before enjoying this decadent beverage. Stir with a cinnamon stick or sprinkle with some nutmeg to enhance the flavor even more.

Experimentation with CBD

Most CBD oil recipes center around sweet baked goods since CBD’s inherently bitter flavor is concealed with sugar, chocolate, caramel, or syrup. Keep this important point in mind before preparing your recipes.

CBD is best complemented by fat-based or oil-based ingredients like lard, coconut oil, butter, or ghee. Manipulate the proportions of these food items to maximize the integration of your CBD oil and to suit your taste.

Final Thoughts

While there are a lot of things you can do to promote the healthiness of your cooking, CBD oil is the current trend. Always ensure you are purchasing your CBD oil from a reputable retailer like Kats Botanicals.

At Kats Botanicals, we sell only the purest CBD that is organically grown without using chemicals and fillers in the Colorado Rockies and third-party tested in a state-certified lab. Every batch of our CBD full spectrum oil is tested to ensure it contains less than 0.03% THC ensuring you experience no psychoactive reactions.