Cooking With CBD

Can you cook with CBD Oil? The surprising answer is yes!

CBD oil is great in many foods and drinks. 

If you haven’t tried CBD yet, you probably know someone who has. While CBD isn’t a panacea, it does have broad-reaching benefits, and these days, it’s more popular than ever. 

CBD stands for cannabidiol and comes from the cannabis hemp plant. Unlike marijuana, it won’t get you high and isn’t addictive. 

CBD has quickly gained popularity for its health benefits. There are a number of ways to take CBD, but the usual way is through oil drops. And, not everyone likes the way it tastes. 

Everyone’s taste buds are different. Despite that fact, similarly- descriptive words seem to come up again and again when it comes to the taste of CBD oil. Described as earthy, nutty, and grass-like, most CBD oil tastes a little bit like- well, weed. 

Of course, there are some CBD oils out there on the market that are flavored with lemon or vanilla, be we aren’t fans of that there at Saving Grace CBD, as we don’t like the artificial taste. 

For most people, the taste of CBD oil is not an issue. While it definitely has a unique flavor, most consumers just focus on the therapeutic benefits.

Still, some folks would like to know how to include CBD in the foods and drinks they consume. 

One thing to note is that CBD bioavailability can be increased by making it available in the form of a snack that’s high in fat. CBD as a chemical compound is highly soluble in fat, meaning it easily dissolves in fatty oils.

In this post we’ll give you a few ideas around which foods and drinks you can add CBD to – but, before we start, remember these important tips:

• Never place CBD oil over direct heat. Heat can change its composition and lower its effectiveness. If you’re using CBD in a dish of sauteed vegetables, rather than cooking the veggies in the oil, sprinkle it over them once they’ve been plated.
• Mix CBD oil with another cooking oil to make it more effective. Remember: CBD is fat-soluble which means that your body is better able to absorb it along with fats such as avocado or coconut oil.
• Use caution when mixing CBD with alcohol. If you’re enjoying a cocktail with your CBD-infused meal, don’t plan on driving as CBD will increase the drowsiness effect normally produced by alcohol. 

Now, for a few wonderful CBD food and drink recipes. 

Add CBD to your Coffee 

Those who love creamer in their coffee will love this consumption method. One of my favorite ways to prepare my morning coffee is to blend in a little butter, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and stevia. When I started taking CBD, it was a no-brainer to add it to the recipe. 

Here’s how:

In a tall mixing cup, use a hand blender to mix:

• 1 cup of strong black coffee
• 1 teaspoon of salted butter 
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or MCT oil
• 1 dropper of CBD oil according to the dosage you desire and require

Optional ingredients: 

½ teaspoon (or more) of vanilla extract to taste

6-8 drops of liquid stevia to taste (or any other sweetener you like)

Blend until frothy and enjoy!

Chia Seed Protein Bites With CBD

I keep these little bites on hand in my refrigerator and grab them for breakfast or a snack when I’m in a hurry. This recipe has no gluten, eggs, dairy, or corn, so it’s the perfect go-to treat for anyone.

• 1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup almond butter or creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup vanilla or chocolate protein powder
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• Additional unsweetened shredded coconut, optional
• A few drops of CBD oil per bite, according to your needs.

In a large bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Refrigerate for one hour or until firm enough to roll. Scoop out a tablespoon full of the mixture to roll and add a few drops of CBD oil – then, work in the CBD oil and shape into 1-1/2-in. balls. Roll in additional coconut if desired. Store in the refrigerator.

CBD Cranberry Energy Balls

These energy balls are the perfect easy snack. Made with just seven simple ingredients energy balls are one of my favorite healthy snacks. I like to keep them in the fridge and grab a couple any time I need an afternoon snack or a healthy breakfast.

• Almonds and cashews – raw and no salt added
• Pitted dates
• Dried cranberries
• Vanilla extract
• Lemon or orange juice
• Sea salt
• CBD Oil

Of course, if you feel like adding in some additional flavors or ingredients, go for it! I think these would be delicious with shredded coconut or chia seeds.

Place your almonds and cashews into a food processor and pulse until they are chopped into small pieces. Add in the pitted dates, dried cranberries, vanilla, lemon juice, and sea salt. Pulse until everything is combined and the dough is sticking together. Use your hands to form the mixture into small balls and add a few drops of CBD oil to each ball according to your needs. 

Make a wonderful salad dressing

Level up your salad experience with this homemade cannabis-infused lemon vinaigrette recipe by nutritionist & certified holistic cannabis practitioner Emily Kyle. 

Emily’s recipe is intended for cannabis-infused oil, but we’ve modified it slightly here for CBD. Either way is fine, depending on your preference. 

Made with fresh lemon juice, white balsamic vinegar, and CBD-infused olive oil, this wonderful dressing is perfect to pair with all of your favorite salads.

• ¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• ½ tablespoon sliced scallion white only
• ½ tablespoon fresh grated parmesan cheese
• ¾ teaspoon white sugar
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon fresh minced garlic
• ⅛ teaspoon granulated garlic
• ⅛ teaspoon granulated onion
• ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1½ cup CBD- infused olive oil – Alternatively, you can use cannabis-infused olive oil. 

* Note: to create your CBD-Infused olive oil, simply add your go-to Saving Grace CBD formula to olive oil and mix. Saving Grace CBD is created with organic MCT carrier oil, so it will blend perfectly into your olive oil.  

Combine all ingredients lemon juice through crushed red pepper in a tall, wide-mouth container like a mason jar. Blend the ingredients with an immersion blender. With the blender running, slowly drizzle in the CBD-infused oil to emulsify.

It’s a good idea to keep in mind that sublingual absorption, vapor inhalation, and topical absorption all have around a ~30% bioavailability rate.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with consuming CBD through food or drink, and many people prefer to consume their cannabis this way.

The possibilities are endless. What recipes would you give a boost to with CBD oil?