Edibles: Small Bites for the Modern Cannabis Kitchen

Intro

Have you ever had pot brownies from a boxed mix that tasted vaguely of burnt rubber tires and were way too strong (discovered, regrettably, after it was all too late)? We’ve been there. Let’s chalk it up to being young and undiscerning. That was then, and this is now.

Pot brownies have come a long way. They can now be a gourmet experience, made from scratch with high-quality chocolate, premium cannabis, carefully infused butter, and a taste so heavenly you’ll need to make a nonmedicated batch for the munchies that will—inevitably—follow.

When it comes to edibles, brownies are just the tip of the iceberg. With the end of cannabis prohibition, both the medicinal and recreational use of this magical plant is steadily normalizing. James Beard Award-winning chefs are coming out with edible lines. Talented producers are making incredible, creative goods that look right at home in a fancy boutique or the local farmers’ market. Small-batch jams, jewel-like pâte de fruits, French macarons—even handcrafted marshmallows—have found their way into the cannabis kitchen.

Edibles are perhaps the most approachable form of consumption, and are, without a doubt, the most versatile, discreet, and delicious. If you are curious about cooking with cannabis in your own kitchen, this book teaches you how. We cover the basics about this special ingredient, explain techniques for infusion, highlight some of the industry’s most innovative producers, and, of course, share our favorite recipes. These are edibles your past self could never have imagined. Edibles all grown up—gorgeous, gourmet, and carefully dosed.

FOOD + CANNABIS

Fine food and fine cannabis were meant to be together. On their own, they are super enjoyable. But together? Now that’s a recipe for a good time. Used judiciously, cannabis in food can make for a complementary, enhanced experience. We also believe it is no coincidence that both bring people together. Whether you are passing a dish around the dinner table or passing a joint, you are sharing something special. You are connecting and, hopefully, laughing.

These small-bite, low-dose edibles are meant to be shared and savored. In today’s hustle and bustle we believe it is important to slow down and make time for one another—and for yourself. Whether planning a hike with a friend, hosting a wake-and-bake brunch, or looking to send your dinner party guests off with a little elevated treat, these edibles will make those experiences that much more memorable.

COOKING STYLE

When we sat down to compile the recipes we wanted to share, we found ourselves with enough recipes to fill three books. Both Coreen and I are food lovers—we love to cook, and we love to feed people. We attended the same culinary school in San Francisco and our paths crossed again, years later, when we both found ourselves applying our culinary skills to cannabis. Coreen made her foray into the edibles world by making award-winning macarons (Blueberry Lemon Macarons, page 131), and now puts on incredible food and cannabis pairing events. I found myself elbow deep in rainbow sprinkles and dedicated myself to elevating the edibles experience by bringing low-dose, gourmet marshmallows (Birthday Cake Mellows, page 66) to market. The recipes you’ll find in this book represent how we like to eat and entertain. We’ve drawn from our experience both as hosts and guests, and the resulting compilation is an all-star cast of our go-to dishes. We hope they serve you as well as they have us.

There is a range of recipes—from simple, approachable, and familiar to showstopping dishes that are more ambitious. There is also a balance between indulgent treats and healthier options. There is something for everyone!

The flavors and techniques we’ve created are a unique reflection of our own ever-evolving identity as curious cooks. Everything we make is influenced by our history, our food memories, our present-day environment. You’ll recognize some classic favorites, remixed with a modern twist. There will be some unexpected flavor combinations, too. Trust, and roll with it!

We highlight seasonal fresh ingredients whenever possible because we think you should be gorging on candy-sweet tomatoes in summertime, and reveling in spring’s first shoots of green garlic. But we also understand that’s not always realistic. Good thing chocolate is always in season!

LOW DOSE, SMALL BITES

We designed our recipes to be gently dosed at approximately 5 mg THC per serving. The small serving size makes it easy to control the dosage that’s right for you.

It should be noted that 5 mg is a target, not a guarantee. Without lab testing to confirm the exact potency of your infusion, it is impossible to determine the exact potency of your finished edible. Even if you do know the potency of your infusion, there will always be a margin of variance due to cooking technique (equal distribution, equal portioning, burn off variables). This is where cooking with cannabis is closer to an art than a science. At the end of the day, our guideline will help you produce low-dose edibles that should fall within a range of 3 to 7 mg THC per serving. Always try a small piece and see how you feel before consuming, say, half a tray of brownies (see How to Enjoy Edibles, page 15).

Low-dose edibles are meant to enhance—not impair. We often use the analogy of going into a liquor store. There are many options to choose from. You can pick up a bottle of wine, or you can grab a handle of Everclear. There’s a use case for each scenario. What we’re going for here is more of a rosé-all-day vibe. Let’s make some tasty edibles, and let’s not fuck up our friends.

Let’s make some tasty edibles, and let’s not fuck up our friends.

The Importance of Cannabis

Cannabis is an incredible plant that has been used throughout history, across cultures, for its unique medicinal and spiritual properties. It is insanely complex, and we’re still discovering more about it each day. Let’s get to know this special ingredient a little more before we get into the kitchen.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

When you go to select your cannabis, you will be met with a dizzying array of choices. The first way to narrow your selection is by species: sativa, indica, or, usually, a hybrid of the two.

Sativas are generally known as daytime strains because they impart an uplifting, energetic, head high. Indicas, on the other hand, are better suited for nighttime enjoyment because they typically give you more of a body high, making you feel relaxed, mellow, and sometimes sleepy.

The look of the flowers even mimics these attributes. Sativa buds are tall and airy (imagine your head in the clouds), while indica buds are dense and plump (imagine sinking into a cushy couch).

Hybrids provide a combination of effects to give you the best of both worlds, leaning toward one spectrum or the other, depending on whether they are sativa dominant or indica dominant. The crossbreeding and creation of new hybrid strains give growers endless opportunities to experiment and create new strains, all of which will have their own unique set of qualities and effects.

Most dispensaries are staffed with highly knowledgeable budtenders who can help you choose a strain that’s a good fit for your needs. Don’t be shy about talking to them about the desired effects you’re looking for.

What to Look For

Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid?

THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM

This is a crash course in how cannabis works in your body. In broad strokes, that body of yours is made up of many systems. One very important system is an internal regulatory system known as the endocannabinoid system. Cannabis is able to stimulate this system by introducing cannabinoids (i.e., THC, CBD), that bind to receptors in our body’s cells and produce a variety of therapeutic effects. The endocannabinoid system helps regulate the nervous and immune systems via a complex group of molecules and receptors. This receptor system, thought to be the largest in the body, helps maintain many essential physiological processes including appetite, memory, blood pressure, inflammation, immunity, and pain sensation among others. Scientists believe the endocannabinoid system first evolved in primitive animals more than six hundred million years ago.

CANNABINOIDS: EFFECTS + BENEFITS

Both the human body and the cannabis plant produce cannabinoids that bind to receptors in the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids are crucial to some of the body’s most basic physiological processes. To date, scientists have identified more than one hundred unique cannabinoids in cannabis (with the potential for more, since there are more than 750 distinct natural chemical components in this miracle plant that have yet to be studied in depth). Each of these chemical compounds interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system in a unique way.

Of all the cannabinoids found in cannabis, THC and CBD are the ones you’ll hear about most often.

THC

THC, of course, is the most known cannabinoid, and, typically, the one found in the highest concentration. This is, in part, because for decades farmers have favored and bred high-THC plants to match the market demand. THC is psychoactive, which means it influences your mood and behavior. THC is responsible for the high feeling you get when you consume cannabis.

THC: THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS

THC has been shown to have many therapeutic benefits. It is particularly effective in mitigating pain, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and muscle spasticity. It can also help relieve intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. Recent studies suggest that THC may be useful in managing insomnia, fatigue, PTSD, and depression.

CBD

CBD