Recipes for cooking with CBD oil at home

by Tim W. Shaw February 11, 2019

There’s a lot of discussion around whether it’s better to take CBD on an empty stomach or together with food or drink. Because cannabidiol is fat soluble, taking it with a small quantity of high-quality fats is a good idea.

For instance, some of our customers will have a little bit of gluten-free bread with butter or olive oil, a dish rich in Omega 3 (seeds, fish) or just by adding some coconut oil, MCT oil or cold-pressed hemp oil to their dish. Some CBD products, like this one from Love Hemp, already come with an MCT oil base. CBD pastes tend to come with a coconut oil base.

Not sure how to take CBD oil in food? CBD oil can be added or infused into nearly any food you can think of. Here are a few tricks on how to combine it correctly, maximise the amount of CBD your body receives and utilise other active ingredients. We'll kick start our journey to CBD culinary mastery with a range of great recipes suitable for any occasion. (All of the recipes featured in this article are vegan-friendly.)

 

The benefits of making your own CBD oil edibles

Cheaper & healthier

You may have seen in the news how a coffee shop has started selling £7 croissants with 5mg of CBD each. Don’t let yourself be deceived. You can make much tastier and healthier edibles on your own at a fraction of the price.

Control the dose
Making your own edibles means that you are in control. With a little practice, you can make each recipe to directly match your tastes and requirements. Start by adjusting the amount of CBD oil you add to each recipe. Begin with a small amount and slowly increase to achieve your desired effect.

Increased bioavailability
Bioavailability refers to the amount of each dose your body can actually make use of. Fats, particularly medium chain fatty acids like MCT oil, have been found to dramatically increase the amount of CBD that your body absorbs through the gut. Adding MCT oil, which can be found in coconut oil, to your CBD edibles allows your body to metabolise the fatty acids and CBD quicker. This has been found to result in a larger percentage of the CBD being used by the body.

Combined benefits
Matching active ingredients can also add a host of other benefits:
• MCT oil: As well as increasing bioavailability MCT oil has been found, in some studies, to assist with energy and brain function alongside a range of other positive effects.
• Curcumin and Piperine: Curcumin is found in turmeric and has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Piperine from black pepper has been found to relieve nausea and headaches and also makes a great partnership with curcumin by increasing its absorption into the body.

Fun & tasty
Whether you like the flavour of CBD oil or not, edibles are a great way to go. You can either add the earthier tones of CBD to a range of other flavours that will really make it shine or you can hide it among stronger flavours. This is ideal for children or those who are just not keen on the taste and an opportunity to experiment in the kitchen.

 

Which CBD can you make edibles with?

While most CBD oil can be used to make edibles a careful choice here can really make a difference to the overall taste and potential effect. For any purchase of CBD oil, it is important that you know enough about its source and concentration and this is no different for culinary use.

The main things to consider are:

The purity of the CBD oil matters

Choosing a certified organic oil will give you a much better flavour for your cooking and will also ensure that the oil doesn’t contain any other chemicals that shouldn’t be present naturally. Organic oils generally have a less intense flavour making them much more suited to combining with other flavours and will add to your palate rather than taking over.

Isolate or full-spectrum

CBD isolate is purely an isolated cannabinoid without any other synergetic cannabinoids. However, CBD isolates or crystal isolate is not legal for ingestion in the UK and can only be used for inhalation or vaporisation. For edibles, full spectrum oil is the best choice. Whole plant & full spectrum is even better. With this oil, you will get a range of other beneficial and synergetic active ingredients which work together to form a positive entourage effect. With full spectrum CBD alongside the nutrients and other ingredients in your recipes, you can really pile on the health benefits from each meal or snack.

CBD concentration

Much like how much you choose to add to each recipe, this can be down to your own personal preference or budget. Your choice here will also affect how much CBD ends up in your system and only you can decide which strengths and doses work best for you. We suggest starting out small and working up to find a dose that suits you best.

 

How to cook with CBD oil

CBD oil is very versatile and can be used in cooking without affecting the quality as long as you follow a few simple suggestions.

1. Don’t heat CBD oil above 175⁰C during the cooking process or expose it to direct heat. Temperatures above 175⁰C will damage the CBD and give it a strong bitter flavour.
2. To get the best flavour and texture from your oil include it in the cooking rather than drizzling it on later. (Unless required in the recipe.)
3. Mix well into other ingredients to reduce any wastage from oil residue left on cutlery or equipment.

Make your own CBD edibles

Edibles are growing in popularity and it’s not hard to see why. They can be sweet or savoury, are easy to carry and make for a great CBD delivery system. Here’s how to make your own version of two favourites.

CBD chocolate recipe (makes 1 bar)

Ingredients:
25g organic cacao powder
50g coconut oil
2 tsp CBD oil
3 tbsp of agave or maple syrup

Method:
1. First, combine the CBD oil and coconut oil with the syrup.
2. Add the cacao powder and stir continuously until mixture gets thick.
3. Pour into a mould.
4. Freeze until hardened.
Not only is this great to snack on but it can be added to other recipes for a sweet CBD top up.

CBD chocolate chip cookies recipe (makes 10 large cookies)

Ingredients:
450g flour
1 tsp baking powder
225g cup white sugar
225g cup brown sugar
½ tsp salt
240g dairy free chocolate chips
225g dairy free butter alternative
3 tsp CBD oil
4 tbsp soy yoghurt
2 tsp hot water
2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:
1. First, preheat the oven to 170C/fan 150C.
2. Place the butter alternative mixed with CBD oil, yoghurt, brown sugar, and white sugar in a bowl and cream until smooth.
3. Dissolve the baking powder into the hot water and then add it to the mixture alongside the salt. Then, slowly stir in the chocolate chips and the flour.
4. Drop large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans then, then bake for about 10 minutes or until the edges start to turn a golden brown.

 

Beyond edibles - creative everyday recipes

Taking CBD orally can be so much more than just edibles. Edibles are great for a quick snack and a quick CBD dose but CBD can be used in food for every meal and at any time, so why stop there? We’ve chosen some great recipes to give you an idea of how versatile CBD oil can be. You will also find some excellent pairings here: Fats to give you the best bioavailability and other active ingredients for overall well-being.

Turmeric and black pepper CBD smoothie recipe (serves 2)

Ingredients:
1 handful frozen berries
2cm piece fresh turmeric root, peeled
4cm fresh root ginger, peeled
2 tsp CBD oil
250ml orange juice
1 banana
Freshly ground black pepper (to your preference)

Method:
1. Start by slicing the turmeric and ginger roots thinly.
2. Add all the ingredients to a blender. Puree till smooth and thin with water if needed.

CBD chai tea latte recipe (serves 1)

Ingredients:
1 cup steamed dairy-free milk (cashew nut milk gives you the creamiest latte but soy also works fine)
1 tea bag
½ tsp Chai Spice
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp CBD oil
1 tsp Honey

Method:
1. Steam the cashew milk (or microwave at full power for 2 minutes) and add the tea bags for 5 minutes.
2. Then, remove the tea bag and add coconut oil, chai spice, CBD oil and honey.
3. Whisk until fully incorporated.
4. Enjoy hot, or pour over ice.

CBD pumpkin spice latte recipe (serves 2)

Ingredients:
500 ml cashew milk
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1 shot of espresso
120ml boiling water
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp coconut oil
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp CBD Oil
Soy-based whipped cream

Method:
1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the cashew milk, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the espresso and boiling water. Pour into the saucepan with the other ingredients.
3. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the CBD oil, vanilla extract, coconut oil and sugar.
4. Heat the latte over a low heat, stirring frequently, until the liquid reaches just before boiling.
5. Remove from heat and pour between two mugs.
6. Garnish with soy whipped cream and additional ground cinnamon as required.

CBD guacamole recipe

Ingredients:
3 medium ripe avocados, peeled, halved and with the stone and peel removed
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1/2 cup onion, finely diced
2 small tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
1/2 jalapeno, minced
1 tsp CBD oil

Method:
1. Place the avocado in a bowl and mash using a fork or potato masher.
2. Add all of the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
3. Lay cling film directly on the surface of the guacamole and allow to sit at room temperature for 2 hours before serving.

Carrot and CBD cake recipe (serves 6)

Ingredients:
300g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
280ml vegetable oil
2 tbsp CBD oil
225g granulated sugar
225g brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 tablespoons of soy yoghurt
5 to 6 medium carrots peeled and grated
75g raisins
For the Icing
225 grams of vegan cream cheese, at room temperature
180g icing sugar
80g coconut whipping cream
60g coarsely chopped pecans

Method:
1. First, preheat the oven to 150C.
2. Grease two 9-inch round cake tins and line the bottom with greaseproof paper then grease the top of the paper.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and the cinnamon until well blended.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, CBD oil, sugars, and vanilla. Whisk in the yoghurt until combined.
5. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl then add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, gently stirring until they disappear and the batter is smooth. Stir in the carrots, nuts, and raisins.
6. Divide the mixture between the prepared cake pans. Bake until the tops of the cake layers are springy when touched and when a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean; 45 minutes to 1 hour.
7. Cool cakes in pans for 15 minutes then turn out onto cooling racks, peel off the greaseproof paper and cool completely.
8. In a large bowl, beat the vegan cream cheese with a handheld mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Beat in the icing sugar, a 1/4 cup at a time until fluffy. Pour in the coconut whipping cream and beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Chill covered until ready to ice the cake.
9. When the cake layers are completely cool, ice the top of one cake layer, place the other cake layer on top. Decoratively swirl the top of the cake with remaining icing. Scatter the pecans on top.

CBD dressed melon, tomato and pomegranate salad (serves 4)

Ingredients:
500g different-coloured heirloom tomatoes, chopped into large chunks (smaller ones left whole or halved)
1 Charentais melon, segmented and cut into chunks roughly the same size as the tomatoes
Seeds from ¼ of a pomegranate
A handful of mint, shredded
Crusty bread, to serve
For the dressing
1 ½ tbsp sherry or red wine vinegar
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
2 tsp CBD oil

Method:
1. To make the dressing, whisk all the ingredients including the CBD oil together in a bowl and set aside.
2. Toss the tomatoes and melon together in a bowl with a little dressing, some sea salt and black pepper. Pile the tomatoes and melon on a platter and sprinkle the pomegranate seeds over the top. Drizzle with extra dressing, scatter with mint and serve straight away with crusty bread.

 

Invite people over! - sophisticated recipes

Even though restaurants are starting to pop up with CBD dishes and there are plenty of CBD edibles in the market, only you can ensure that it’s all organic, affordable, at the dose you want it, and ready-to-eat whenever you want it. Why not share these impressive CBD oil recipes with your friends and family?

Caramelised carrots with CBD chimichurri recipe (serves 2)

Ingredients:
500g Organic rainbow carrots scrubbed clean, peeled, and dried
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp brown sugar
Sea salt
Black pepper
Chilli flakes
1 cup fresh Parsley
1 cup fresh Coriander
3-6 garlic cloves
70g high-quality olive oil
2tsp CBD Oil
2tbsp red wine vinegar
The juice of half a lemon
40g crumbled vegan feta
20g toasted pine nuts

Method:
1. First, preheat the oven to 170C/fan 150C.
2. Spread the carrots out in a roasting tin, drizzle with the olive oil, then sprinkle with the sugar. Season well with sea salt and black pepper.
3. Then roast for 30 to 45 mins, turning occasionally, until the sugar has caramelised and the carrots are soft and tender.
4. Pulse the garlic in a food processor until finely chopped.
5. Add the parsley and coriander, and pulse briefly, until finely chopped.
6. Transfer the mixture to a separate bowl. Add the olive oil, CBD oil, lemon juice, and vinegar, and stir.
7. Season with salt and chilli flakes to taste.
8. To serve, drizzle the chimichurri over the roasted carrots, and garnish with crumbled vegan feta and toasted pine nuts.

Peppered cauliflower steak with parsley potatoes and CBD butter recipe (serves 2)

Ingredients:
3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into large cubes
2 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
Small bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 large cauliflower
1 tsp cracked black pepper
2 tbsp vegan butter alternative
CBD oil
Baby leaf salad, to serve

Method:
1. First, heat the butter alternative until completely until melted and add the CBD oil (alternatively CBD oil can be added to Coconut oil for this part).
2. Leave to cool in the fridge until completely solid.
3. Preheat your oven to 180⁰C/ 160⁰C fan.
4. Next, cut the cauliflower in half and slice it into thick steaks about 2cm thick. You may get 4 or more steaks depending on the cauliflower. (Save any excess or roast and add to your meal depending on your preference.)
5. Drizzle each cauliflower steak with olive oil and lemon juice then season with fresh thyme, salt and pepper.
6. Place the cauliflower on a baking tray and roast for between 25 and 40mins until cooked through but still firm.
7. Meanwhile, tip the potatoes into a pan of water, bring to the boil, simmer for 2 mins and drain.
8. Next, heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan. Add the potatoes and sizzle gently for 20 mins, tossing occasionally, until golden and crispy all over. When the potatoes are cooked, add the garlic to the pan and fry for 1 min more. Toss through the parsley, season with sea salt and set aside.
9. Meanwhile, rub the steaks with a drizzle of oil, then season with sea salt and black pepper.
10. Finally, remove the cauliflower from the oven and top with the CBD butter. Serve with the potatoes and salad.

CBD vegan tiramisu recipe (serves 6)

Ingredients:
Cashew Mascarpone:
150g raw cashews
120ml water
1/8 tsp salt
2 tbsp soy yoghurt
Vegan Ladyfingers:
3 tbsp vegan margarine
3 tbsp coconut cream
1 tbsp soy yoghurt
3 tbsp tapioca starch or other starch
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup aquafaba
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
150g sugar
180g flour
Filling:
300g Cashew Mascarpone
100g coconut cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup aquafaba
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
60g sugar
1/2 cup espresso or strong coffee
1-2 tbsp coffee liqueur or amaretto
2tbsp CBD oil
24-36 Ladyfingers
Cocoa powder or chocolate shavings

Method:
For the Cashew Mascarpone:
1. Begin by soaking the cashews overnight, then drain them thoroughly.
2. Combine the cashews, water, and salt in a blender, and blend until smooth.
3. Add the non-dairy yoghurt, and pulse until combined.
4. Transfer the mixture to a clean glass container, and loosely cover with a clean towel or lid.
5. Place the mixture in a warm, dark place and let it culture for 12-24 hours.
6. The mascarpone should be similar in texture to cream cheese. If it’s too watery, wrap in cheesecloth, place in a strainer, refrigerate and let the excess moisture drip out.
7. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
For the Vegan Ladyfingers:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F, and line baking trays with greaseproof paper.
2. Combine the vegan margarine, coconut cream, non-dairy yoghurt, tapioca starch, vanilla extract, and turmeric in a stand mixer or large bowl.
3. Whip until smooth and fluffy. Set aside.
4. Pour the aquafaba into the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with the balloon whisk, and add the cream of tartar.
5. Whip until stiff peaks form, 4-5 minutes.
6. Gradually add sugar, whipping after each addition.
7. Gently fold the whipped aquafaba into the mascarpone mixture.
8. Gently fold the flour into the mixture, folding until just combined.
9. Transfer the dough into a pastry bag equipped with a large round pastry tip, or a large zip-top bag with the corner cut off so that the cut edge is about 3/4-inch wide.
10. Pipe 4-inch long logs of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about an inch of space between cookies.
11. Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until golden and firm.
12. Crack open the oven door and let the ladyfingers start to cool while in the oven before gently moving the tray to a cooling rack to firm up completely.
For the filling:
1. Combine the Cashew Mascarpone, coconut cream, and vanilla extract in a stand mixer or large bowl.
2. Whip until smooth and fluffy. Set aside.
3. Pour the aquafaba into the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with the balloon whisk, and add the cream of tartar.
4. Whip until stiff peaks form, 4-5 minutes.
5. Gradually add sugar, whipping after each addition.
6. Gently fold the whipped aquafaba into the mascarpone mixture. Set aside.
To assemble:
1. Add the espresso, liqueur and CBD oil to a blender until combined.
2. Dip a Lady Finger in the espresso mixture, then start lining them up in the bottom of an 8x8-inch baking pan. Repeat with half of the Lady Fingers.
3. Spread or pipe half of the mascarpone mixture on top of the Lady Fingers.
4. Repeat the process by dipping the remaining half of the Lady Fingers in the espresso mixture, placing them on top of the mascarpone mixture, then topping off with the remaining mascarpone mixture.
5. Chill for at least 6 hours before serving.
6. Sprinkle cocoa powder or chocolate shavings on the tiramisu before cutting and serving.
7. Keep tiramisu refrigerated.

How to make CBD oil edibles - key points

In this article, we’ve learnt that combining CBD oil with food can be a wonderfully tasty delivery method and provides many other benefits. With the right combination of ingredients, it’s possible to increase the bioavailability of the oil and even benefit from other complementary active ingredients.

With these recipes, you will soon find that CBD oil can either add an excellent additional flavour to food or can easily be disguised depending on your preference. Full-spectrum, whole-plant and certified organic oil is the best choice and will make a great addition to your edibles and family meals.

Start with a low concentration and add small amounts to your food. Build up the dosage until you find the right amount for you. Finally, have fun creating these mouth-watering treats and don’t forget to add CBD oil to your own recipes.

Why
• Control your own does of CBD oil. Start small and increase.
• Increase the bioavailability by adding fats.
• Pair with other active ingredients to maximise the benefits. Start with turmeric and black pepper.
• Use other foods to enhance or hide the flavour of the CBD oil.
What
• Use good quality, certified organic full spectrum CBD oil at your preferred concentration.
How
• Don’t heat CBD oil above 175⁰C or expose to direct heat.
• For the best flavour mix it into your other ingredients.

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References

Cadena, A. (2018, June 26). What is CBD Bioavailability and Why Does it Matter? Retrieved from https://medium.com/cbd-origin/what-is-cbd-bioavailability-and-why-does-it-matter-69d9a2e37e6c
Gunnars, K. (2018, July 13). 10 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric
CBD Oil: The Complete UK Guide to Cannabidiol. (2019) Retrieved from https://www.fortheageless.com/pages/cbd-oil-uk-guide
How to choose the right CBD oil for you. (2018, August 24) Retrieved from https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/blog-how-to-choose-the-right-cbd-oil-for-you-n975 
How To Make Your Own CBD Edibles. (2019) Retrieved from https://healthyhempoil.com/how-to-make-your-own-cbd-edibles/
What CBD Oil Users Need To Know About CBD Capsules with Turmeric. (2018, August 23) Retrieved from https://www.medsbiotech.com/blog/what-cbd-oil-users-need-know-about-cbd-capsules-turmeric
What is CBD MCT Oil? (2018, February 7) Retrieved from https://www.cbdinfusionz.com/blogs/news/what-is-cbd-mct-oil

Turmeric Image credit: https://veganliftz.com/

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