For fans of the autumn winds, today marks the return of Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte. The first-ever pre-Labor Day launch of the nearly iconic magical brew has caused some online controversy about fall coming a little too early.
There can be no dispute, however, that it’s getting to be the time of year to start mulling thoughts of cannabis-infused warm beverages, baked edibles, and feasts with friends, which are right around the holiday corner.
Dispensaries that are planning in-store promotions can do something extra special at their holiday open houses by featuring a display of pre-packaged edibles next to at-home cannabis cooking products like the Magical Butter extraction kit, sous vide cookers, among other cannabis-related holiday items and gifts. Offering holiday recipe handouts is also a homey touch for foodie customers.
Home cooks can enhance, infuse, and imbibe with cannabis-derived ingredients in gourmet dishes, festive cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages, desserts, and other concoctions that are sure to bring the cheer. As access to ingredients increases, infused dining is a lifestyle trend that’s sure to grow.
Also, cookbooks make great gifts. For budding chefs, here are seven cookbooks with cannabis cuisine options and lots of recipes, available at Amazon:
Baked Italian: Over 50 Mediterranean Marijuana Meals–In this collection of cannabis comfort food recipes and fresh, Mediterranean preparations, Chef Yzabetta Sativa brings recipes for every element of traditional, fine Italian dining including “Aperitivo, Antipasto, Primo, Secondo, Contorno, Dolce, and–of course Caffee and Digestivo.” Also, Chef Sativa gives you six at-home methods for extracting cannabis to use in her recipes. Multo bene!
Bong Appétit: Mastering the Art of Cooking With Weed–Millennial marijuana cooks will love this compilation from VICE Media’s MUNCHIES and Viceland series “Bong Appétit.” This cookbook is chock-full of 65 infused recipes for delicious dishes and drinks. Everything from “weed butter-basted chicken to weed chimichurri to weed brownie sundaes.” Doesn’t that sound yummy?
Cooking With Cannabis: Delicious Recipes for Edibles and Everyday Favorites–Classically trained chef Laurie Wolfe has been called “the Martha Stewart of marijuana edibles” by New Yorker magazine, and brings her kitchen expertise to infused everyday meals. Step-by-step photos for Wolfe’s infusion and extraction techniques help at-home cooks with visual tips and professional techniques. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes include vegetarian and Vegan options.
Cooking with Herb: 75 Recipes for the Marley Natural Lifestyle–Growing up in Jamaica, Cedella Marley was brought up in the island’s culture, which includes recognition and use of cannabis for its many benefits, including as part of a healthy diet. The daughter of late music legend and universal herb ambassador Bob Marley, her book offers authentic ways to incorporate cannabis through cuisine with 75 recipes, as well as information on how she also uses cannabis for beauty and health, even yoga and meditation practices. Also, how to introduce infused recipes to friendly gatherings and social meals. Personal stories and beautiful photos make this cookbook a keepsake for fans and foodies alike.
The Easy Cannabis Cookbook–Banana Bread and Cheesy Fettuccine Alfredo are only two of the 60 recipes in this cookbook by professional foodie and writer Cheri Sicardi, named “the Martha Stewart of weed” by The Daily Beast. For breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert, Sicardi includes information about accurate measurements and dosing, as well as how to decide the appropriate dosage for personal use or party portioning. She also advises on what kitchen equipment is essential for cannabis cooking.
Sweet Mary Jane: 75 Delicious Cannabis-Infused High End Desserts–Owner of Sweet Mary Jane Bakery in Boulder, Colorado, and baker Karin Lazarus puts the elegance in edibles with this collection of scrumptious, special dessert recipes. Starting with instructions for the basics, including cannabis-infused butter, cannabis-infused coconut oil, and THC-infused sugar, Lazarus lends her expertise to recipes like Smashing Pumpkin White Chocolate-Pumpkin Bars, Sweet Temptation Mango Sorbet, and Chocolate Almond Delights. High tea or high holidays, prepare to bake and get baked.
The Vegan Cannabis Cookbook: Vegan Recipes for Delicious Marijuana-Infused Edibles–It’s all about plants and plant-based diets with this collection of Vegan recipes by Eva Hammond, which includes 20 treats and beverages that offer THC and CBD infusion options. Also a thoughtful chapter on what to do if you’ve overindulged in a little THC-infused holiday cheer–particularly important for eager, but inexperienced bakers.
