How to introduce CBD into Your Cooking
When you go to a medical marijuana dispensary or check for online CBD (cannabidiol) products, you are likely to come across many forms of CBD edibles as they are popularly called. If you have tried them, you may wonder if you can make the edibles on your own.
This may be if you simply want to experiment, or you are not a fan of ready-made CBD edibles. Rest assured, there are many ways you can use CBD in cooking.
Why Should You Make Your Own CBD Edibles?
Many CBD products contain a host of colours, preservatives, emulsifiers and many added ingredients. Sometimes, substances like HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) and other such ingredients are added to the products. While you may not be taking too many sweet products, every little bit adds up.
You may also be interested in experimenting with your own recipes and make more natural products whether they are the ubiquitous brownies or other edibles. When you make your own edibles, you have greater control over the ingredients used.
Then again, it may simply be easier to make your own edibles as the law regarding the sale of CBD edibles varies a great deal in different countries. CBD, in any form, is known to have many relaxing properties, even if it does not have any psychotropic effects. CBD in an edible form is an easy and discreet way to get your dose of CBD.
How Can You Use CBD in Cooking?
You can make simple items like CBD butter and infusions, add CBD oil to foods, add CBD oil to your favorite salad dressing or you can make more complicated recipes, depending on your interest in experimenting. The best part about CBD is that can be used in both sweet and savory items.
It also blends well with any fatty product like edible oils butter, lard, ghee and you can use it in many recipes that call for these items, though you must get your proportions right and avoid cooking at high heat as the taste of the CBD oil products will change.
How effective is CBD when used in cooking?
This really depends on the kind of CBD oil you use. A high quality, broad-spectrum oil from a reputed manufacturer is a better option to use in your cooking.
You can also use CBD in the form of edible powder (CBD isolate), crystals or even vaping liquid if it can be used in edible products. These can be added to any liquid, including oil, and used just like CBD oil. Do check the concentration of CBD in the product that you use in your cooking as there are often variations.
In What Food Items Can You Add CBD?
Use CBD oil and add the normal dose of it to each serving. Always start with a small dose and go higher, if you need to. You can add CBD oil or CBD crystals to:
Salad dressing – whether you are making a mayonnaise or vinaigrette dressing, add a dose of CBD oil or crystals to your dressing and use.
Smoothie – make your favourite smoothie recipe but add the CBD oil or CBD crystals to it.
Butter – soften butter and add CBD oil to it, blending well. You can flavour the butter by adding minced garlic or garlic paste, herbs, paprika, pepper or any other condiment of choice and use the butter for sandwiches, wraps, soups, pasta sauces, gravy, mashed potato or any savoury foods.
Savoury pastes – you can add some CBD oil to hummus, pesto, guacamole that are already quite fatty as the CBD oil blends with these.
Granola bars – make your favourite recipe of granola bars but add a sufficient quantity of CBD oil to it along with the fat. For each serving of granola bar, add one dose of CBD oil.
Cakes, cookies and brownies – all these use some fat or the other. Simply substitute a small amount of CBD oil for the fat you use. You can even use the CBD oil in mixes if you don’t make your cakes, cookies and brownies from scratch.
It is best to start with a small quantity as you really don’t know how the end product will taste. And if you find it tastes fine, you can add some more the next time, till you get the taste and the effect that you want.
The Take-Away
Yes, you can use CBD in cooking. If you are already using particular CBD oil, you can start with that or you use CBD isolate or CBD crystals to start your kitchen experiments. Any or these are easy enough to use and you simply need to add a small quantity and then see how it goes. If you like the effect, then keep in mind that CBD edibles can be had any time you want.
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