Cooking With Cannabis: 3 Summer Recipes to Try

Summer is here, and with things almost back to “normal,” it’s time for parties, picnics, and any other excuse to consume some amazing food with great people. You might already be used to cooking with cannabis, but these summer 2021 infused recipes will have you looking at edibles in a whole new light.

Every new season comes with a host of new recipes for food lovers to try – especially the fresh, cool, crispiness of summertime fare – but The Bluntness makes sure you utilize one and only ingredient that can truly bring your dish to the next level: cannabis.

Cooking With Cannabis

From Pinterest to The Food Network to Tik Tok’s latest trend, anyone who spends a decent amount of time in the kitchen is probably familiar with the wide variety of innovative food content the Internet has to offer. However, most of these step-by-steps lack the key ingredient – at least, according to cannabis consumers. 

Cooking with cannabis is one of the most efficient ways to consume the plant. By infusing cannabis into your food, you avoid any potentially harmful side effects of smoking or vaping. 

Ingesting cannabis also ensures you’re receiving the benefits of the plant in a way that is longer-lasting than smoking or vaping, and typically results in a more intense, full-body high for the consumer. 

We’ve rounded up some of the hottest recipes for the summer, whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, a party, or a group of friends. 

From breakfast to dessert and everything in between, we’ve got you covered with the season’s most delicious dishes that only shine brighter when infused with cannabis. But first, let’s review some of the benefits of cooking with cannabis.

The Benefits of Cooking With Cannabis

There are quite a few benefits to consuming cannabis, and even more when you opt for ingestibles over inhalation. Here are some of the most recognized perks that go hand in hand with cooking with cannabis, whether it’s on special occasions, weekends, or every day:

• Taking edibles doesn’t require you to smoke, which helps spare your lungs from the damage or irritation that typically accompanies smoking. 

• While there are only so many variations to smoking/inhaling cannabis smoke, consuming edibles allows you to get creative. From the classic pot brownie to cannabis-infused seltzers, popcorn, and even hamburgers, you can find a way to incorporate the plant in pretty much anything you like to eat or drink. 

• Consuming edibles allows for discretion. Even in states where cannabis is legal, there’s still a lot of controversy surrounding smoking in public, and whether or not it’s okay to consume outside of your private property (it largely isn’t). 

Edibles eliminate this worry. You can easily consume in public or private without drawing any attention to yourself – just make sure to be smart about it. Don’t consume when you know you’ll have to drive afterwards, and don’t put yourself in a stressful situation that’s going to ruin your high (check out our article on “set and setting” if you missed it). 

• The effects of edibles tend to last a lot longer than the effects of smoking. You have to be patient compared to the faster effects of inhalation, but once ingested cannabis does hit, you’re in for a long, deep, full-body high. 

You’re also more likely to be hit with the entourage effect, due to the fact that many terpenes like limonene or pinene are found in fruits, vegetables, and spices. Play your cards right, and you can wind up with an edible even more powerful than you thought possible. 

How to Cook With Cannabis

Now it’s time to talk infusion, and how to cook with cannabis from your very own kitchen. 

Of course, you always have the easy option of purchasing edibles through a dispensary or cannabis delivery service, but where is the adventure in that? It’s surprisingly simple to infuse your meals right at home – just somewhat time-consuming. 

There are a few different ways to make sure your food gives you a heady, intense effect, but the most important step is to make sure your cannabis is decarboxylated. This activates the THC, the cannabinoid most responsible for that “high” feeling so many people turn to cannabis to experience. 

In order for decarboxylation to be effective, you’ll need to use a fat if you want your body to properly metabolize those cannabinoids. Popular mediums include butter, ghee, or oil.

For these summer recipes, we recommend turning to our step-by-step tutorial for infusing your own coconut oil. Coconut oil comes with its own host of health benefits, and it’s versatile enough to make sense in almost any dish. 

The Best Summer Recipes For Cooking With Cannabis

Once you’ve infused your coconut oil, it’s time to start cooking. We’ve compiled all of the recipes of the summer season that make the most sense to infuse, from early morning bites to a late night sweet snack that’ll help you drift right off to sleep. 

Just make sure to know your body and your limit. You can always substitute some of the infused oil for regular oil if need be. 

#1) Infused Mango Crumb Bars

Remember what we mentioned earlier about the entourage effect? Well, mangoes are recognized for their ability to enhance your high, making them the perfect candidate for a hazy summer breakfast, brunch, or dessert, and these infused crumb bars are the perfect way to enjoy the fruit/weed combo. 

Make these ahead of time for a party, or just freeze your batch to have them on hand whenever you need a little something sweet. 

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 1 ½ - 2 cups of cut mango
• 2-4 tbsp of sugar
• ¼ tbsp of cornstarch
• 1 cup of flour
• ¼ tsp of baking powder
• ⅛ tsp of salt
• ½ cup of infused coconut oil (hardened)
• ⅓ cup of brown sugar
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 8 x 8 baking pan

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, combine your mango chunks, sugar, and cornstarch in a large bowl, mixing until evenly spread. 
• In another large bowl, combine your flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut the hardened coconut oil into chunks and add to the mixture.
• Use a food processor – or stir vigorously – until you’ve achieved a crumbly texture. 
• Line your baking pan with parchment paper and add ⅔ of the crumbly mixture. Press into the pan to form a firm layer. 
• Add mango mixture, spreading it out evenly, and then cover with the rest of the crumbs. 
• Bake in the oven for about 30-40 minutes. Remove, allow to cool for about 20-30 minutes, cut into squares, and get ready to blast off. 

H/T to Joyous Apron for this recipe inspiration!

#2) Infused Summer Fruit & Nut Salad

Nothing says summer quite like a refreshing, fruity salad. This recipe is perfect for a picnic, potluck, or just a light summer lunch or dinner to enjoy with a few loved ones. 

Feel free to get creative with this one and swap in your favorite fruits and nuts (which are also known for enhancing the effects of THC). Whoever includes as many terpenes as possible wins our undying respect. 

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 2 cups of greens of your choice 
• 1 cup of raspberries
• 1 cup of blackberries
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ roughly chopped fresh mint
• 2 sliced mangoes
• 1 diced avocado
• 6 oz. of crumbled goat cheese
• ½ cup of toasted almonds
• ¼ cup of infused coconut oil
• 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp of honey
• Salt 
• Pepper

Steps:

• Combine the greens, fruits, and mint, topping with the goat cheese, almonds, and avocado. 
• Combine all of the liquid ingredients in a jar, shaking it well before drizzling over the salad. Enjoy!

H/T to A Saucy Kitchen for this recipe inspiration!

#3) Stuffed (And Infused) Peppers

Finally, one of the most versatile and delicious summer meals you can make is the stuffed pepper. Bursting with flavor and surprisingly simple to throw together, this recipe allows you to really branch out and use whatever filling speaks to you in the moment – just make sure not to leave out that cannabis. 

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 4 large bell peppers
• 1 lb. of beef, chicken, turkey, or vegetarian alternative
• 2 tbsp of chopped onions
• 1 cup of cooked rice (make the day before to save time)
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1 clove of finely chopped garlic
• 1 15 oz. can of tomato sauce
• ¾ cup of shredded cheese
• ½ cup of infused coconut oil 

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut into the stem of each pepper, carefully removing the seeds and membrane. Add your peppers to a large pot, boiling for about 2 minutes, then drain. 
• In a large pan, cook your meat/meat substitute and onion until done. Stir in rice, salt, garlic, 1 cup of the tomato sauce, and the infused coconut oil. 
• Stuff your peppers with the mixture, standing them upright in a baking dish. 
• Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the peppers, covering tightly with foil and baking for about 10 minutes. 
• Uncover and bake for about 15 minutes longer, or until the peppers are tender. Sprinkle with cheese, and serve!

H/T to Betty Crocker for this recipe inspiration!

Recommended Reading: Your Guide to Cannabis Beer

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