Ella Walter
Cooking with cannabis involves creating infused delicacies with the plant's cannabinoids, primarily THC and CBD. THC is the cannabinoid that creates the 'high' sensation, while CBD produces more subtle effects and can even offset THC's intoxicating impact. Before cooking, dried flower undergoes decarboxylation, a process that converts cannabinoids from acid forms like THCA to the desired THC or CBD. This can be done at home using DIY equipment, with heat applied to transform the cannabinoids. When cooking with cannabis, it is essential to understand potency and dosage, especially when creating edibles, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. The most popular methods for cooking with cannabis involve infusing butter or oil, which can then be used in various recipes.
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What You'll Learn
Cannabis-infused butter and oil
Cannabis-infused butter, or cannabutter, is one of the most common ways to make edibles. Butter is an ideal medium for cannabis infusion because it is versatile and tasty, and THC needs to bind to fat molecules, which are abundant in butter.
To make cannabutter, you must first decarboxylate your cannabis, also known as "decarbing". This process converts the THCA in the plant into THC, activating the plant's psychoactive potential. To decarb your cannabis, preheat your oven to 220°F. Then, break up the cannabis buds into large pieces and spread them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake the cannabis for about 2 hours.
Once the cannabis is decarboxylated, you can infuse it with butter or oil. One method is to fill a pot with about 2 inches of water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Place a heatproof bowl on top of the pot and add your butter or oil, along with the decarboxylated cannabis. Stir the mixture every 10-15 minutes, making sure it doesn't get hot enough to bubble. Let the infusion go for about 2 hours.
Another method is to use a slow cooker. Add your butter or oil and decarboxylated cannabis to the slow cooker and cook on low heat for at least 6-8 hours, or up to 2-3 days for a more potent infusion.
Once your butter or oil is infused, you can store it in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer. When you're ready to use it, simply replace part of the butter or oil in your recipe with your infused product. It's important to note that the potency of your edibles will depend on the dosage of your infusion, so it's recommended to start with a small amount and increase as needed.
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Decarboxylation
There are multiple methods for decarboxylation, including using an oven, a pressure cooker, or the bain-marie method. The most common method is to bake ground weed buds for 45 minutes at around 110ºC. It is important not to exceed 120ºC, as terpenes may start to evaporate, causing the weed to lose some of its aroma and properties. When using an oven, it is recommended to grind the weed beforehand to increase the surface area and ensure even heating.
Another method is to use a pressure cooker, which can provide an even decarb throughout. This method also has the advantage of minimal smell, as the unit is under pressure during the process.
The bain-marie method involves breaking the weed into large chunks and placing them in an airtight bag. The bag is then submerged in water heated to 95ºC for one hour.
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Dosage calculation
When cooking with cannabis, it is important to calculate the dosage accurately to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Here are some detailed instructions on how to calculate the dosage when cooking with pot:
Understanding Dosage Calculation:
The first step in calculating dosage is to understand the concept of a "standardized dose." However, in the context of cannabutter, a standardized dose does not exist. The THC content in each batch of cannabutter can vary depending on factors such as the type of cannabis and cooking techniques used. Therefore, it is crucial to make an approximation of the THC level in your edibles.
Factors Affecting Dosage:
Several factors influence the dosage calculation when cooking with pot. These include:
- Potency of Cannabis: The quality, age, and potency of the cannabis strain used play a significant role in determining the final potency of your edibles.
- Carrier Substances: Different carriers like coconut oil, butter, olive oil, or alcohol absorb THC at varying levels of efficacy. For example, using butter as a carrier may result in a stronger dose compared to other carriers.
- Decarboxylation Process: The decarboxylation process, which involves activating the THC in cannabis through heat, can impact the final potency of your edibles.
- Individual Factors: It's important to consider individual factors such as weight, age, genetics, and gastrointestinal health, as these can influence how an individual responds to edibles.
Using a Dosage Calculator:
To make dosage calculation easier, you can use a cannabutter ratio calculator or an edible dosage calculator. These tools allow you to input the amount of cannabis, the number of servings, and the THC and CBD percentages of your strain (if known). The calculator will then determine the ideal butter-to-cannabis ratio and provide an estimate of the THC content in each serving.
Trial and Error:
It is important to acknowledge that dosage calculation for edibles is an imprecise science. Even with calculators, you may not always achieve the exact desired potency. Therefore, a practical approach is to start with a low dose, wait a couple of hours, and adjust your dosage gradually. Through trial and error, you will develop a better understanding of how different dosages affect you and can make more informed decisions in the future.
In conclusion, when cooking with pot, it is crucial to prioritize safety and start with lower dosages to avoid unpleasant experiences. By using dosage calculators and adopting a gradual approach, you can better manage your cannabis consumption and have a more positive and controlled experience.
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Cooking methods
When cooking with cannabis, there are several methods to consider. The most popular option is to cook with infused butter or oil, which can be used in a variety of recipes.
Infused Butter
To make infused butter, you can use either a slow cooker or a saucepan. If using a slow cooker, heat the butter and weed mixture on low heat for at least 6-8 hours, or up to 2-3 days for a more potent infusion. For a saucepan, heat the mixture for at least 3 hours, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. You can add a little water to prevent the butter from scorching. The longer you cook the mixture, the more potent it will be.
Infused Oil
Infused oil can be made with a slow cooker or cooking pan. Heat the oil and weed mixture until the weed dissolves, being careful not to scorch the weed. For a slow cooker, cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or longer for a more potent infusion. For a saucepan, heat for at least 3 hours, stirring frequently. As with butter, the longer the mixture is heated, the more potent the oil will be.
Decarboxylation
Decarboxylation is the process of converting the cannabinoid THCA, found in raw cannabis, into THC. This can be done through heat, such as smoking, or through a DIY decarbing process at home. This process will create a strong aroma, so ensure your workspace is well-ventilated.
Tinctures
Tinctures are another option for cooking with cannabis, although they can be more expensive. Tinctures provide a precise way to control the potency of your edibles, but may not be as fun to use as infused butter or oil.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can also be used as a substitute for butter when cooking with cannabis. This method involves placing the coconut oil and flower into a high heat-rated jar, then placing the jar into a pot of water. The water should be brought to a slow boil and maintained at a medium boil for 2 hours, with the jar and pot uncovered for ventilation. Once cooled slightly, the canna oil can be strained into another jar.
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Recipe ideas
If you're looking for quick and easy weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup, one-pot meals are the way to go. Here are some recipe ideas that you can make in an Instant Pot or a pressure cooker:
Soups and Stews
- Colombian Chicken Stew: This stew is made with chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, onion, and a bay leaf. All the ingredients release enough liquid to make a flavorful broth without the need for stock or water.
- Colombian Vegetable Soup (Ajiaco Negro): A creamy vegan soup made with potatoes, carrots, corn, fava beans, peas, and broth. The potatoes make the soup creamy without covering up the vegetable flavors.
- Beef Barley Soup: A classic made on the stovetop but easily adapted for a pressure cooker. You can decrease the amount of chicken stock as the meat and vegetables release moisture in the cooker.
- Pho: Making pho the traditional way involves hours of simmering, but with a pressure cooker, you can do it in just 30 minutes. This flavorful broth includes star anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, and coriander.
Main Dishes
- Risotto: The Instant Pot takes the arm workout out of making risotto. Try a vegan version flavored with miso or a classic version.
- Chili: The Instant Pot is perfect for making chili, whether it's a Texas-style Chili con Carne, a vegetarian version, or a White Chicken Chili.
- Jambalaya: This Cajun classic can be made in just an hour in the Instant Pot. All the ingredients go in together and cook under high pressure for perfect, fluffy jambalaya.
- Corn on the Cob: The Instant Pot method is efficient and tasty.
- Ribs: Forget slow cooking; get fall-off-the-bone ribs in just 20 minutes with the Instant Pot.
- Bourbon Chicken: Recreate this food court classic at home with your Instant Pot.
- Shrimp Scampi: This one-pot dish can be made in just 20 minutes.
- Chicken Pot Pie: Try Trisha's vegetarian take on this classic, featuring a luscious vegetable filling with peas, carrots, and potatoes encased in a crispy crust.
- One-Pan Salmon Dinner: A family-approved meal with flaky salmon, crispy potatoes, and glazed green beans baked on a single sheet pan.
- Goulash: Cook the pasta and beef in the same pot with a homemade red wine tomato sauce for extra flavor.
Desserts
- Banana Bread
- Brownies
- Cheesecake: Try an Oreo cheesecake or a classic version.
- Fruit Cobbler: No need to turn on the oven; the Instant Pot can make a cobbler in just 15 minutes without extra heat.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking with pot simply refers to making edibles, which is easier than you might think. The easiest way to do it is to use a tincture, but that can be expensive. The most common method is to use an oil base or butter, which can be used in a variety of recipes.
Place the oil and flower into a high heat-rated Mason jar. Place the jar into a pot and fill the pot with water until the water line is above the oil/flower mixture. Bring to a medium boil for 2 hours. Let the oil cool, then strain it into another jar through a cheesecloth.
Simmer a single stick of salted butter with a quarter to half an ounce of weed between 8 to 24 hours if using the slow-cook method.
You can make the classic pot brownies, or try something different like cannabis-infused pasta with clams and green chiles, or cannabis-infused tea.
It's important to know the potency of your edibles. Try an edible dosage calculator to do the number crunching for you. Also, remember that cooking with pot creates a potent aroma, so make sure your workspace is well-ventilated.
