Using cannabis-infused butter or oil to make your edibles is easy. But using a tincture simplifies things even more. The dropper makes it super convenient and easy to measure doses, whether you want a microdose or melt-your-face-off experience. All you need to do is read the label on your product and dose your meal based on how you want to feel.
Unlike infused butter and oils, however, tinctures should not be cooked because the heat will destroy the cannabinoids. Instead, tinctures are incorporated after cooking (or to foods and drinks that don’t require heating) to ensure you’ll still get the buzz you’re aiming for. When making infused dishes, it’s helpful to do some research beforehand to calculate THC dosages so you can make sure you don’t accidentally overdo it.
French cuisine is known for being sophisticated, refined, and notoriously difficult to make. But these five recipes are far simpler than your average French dish. And, if you’re feeling really fancy, you can make your own strain-specific tinctures at home to compliment and enhance the flavor profile of these recipes. But for those of us who may not be as crafty in the kitchen, tinctures from your local dispensary will do. Just be sure you trust the oil manufacturer—no one wants residual pesticides or solvents in their decadent meal!
Beef Bourguignon
Julia Child is often credited with popularizing this French dish.And thankfully she did because who wouldn’t want to bask in the bold flavors of beef stew and red wine? Of course you can follow the recipe to a T, but you can also get creative with some of the ingredients (especially if you’re not a fan of mushrooms or pearl onions). Just make sure you don’t stray too far from the directions; you’ll change the flavor of the dish. The tincture will come in at the end of the process when the stew is done cooking. Add it to the whole pot or just put a few drops in your bowl. Make sure you stir it in and mix well before eating.
Salade Niçoise
Although a salad, you’ll still have to cook the potatoes, green beans, and boiled eggs. That aside, it’s an easy recipe as most of the work goes into creating the piquant dijon dressing, which is also where you’ll be adding in the tincture. As you’re whisking up your salad drizzle, drop in your desired dose of tincture and voilà! Keep in mind how many milligrams of THC is in each serving so you don’t get an overwhelming surprise in an hour or so.
Coq Au Vin
Think of this as an upgraded, rustic casserole made with braised chicken and a dry red wine like Burgundy. Though the recipe starts on the stove, it’s baked in the oven where the chicken really gets a chance to soak in all the seasoning. For this recipe, you’ll add the tincture to the red wine sauce after you’re done thickening it up to your desired consistency. If you’re dosing the entire batch, you can add it directly to the pot after it’s done cooking but if it’s just for your plate, set some sauce aside and mix some tincture into it
Crêpes
Though there’s really only one way to make a crêpe, it’s up to you whether you want to make it sweet or savory. The recipe is simple enough, so it’s the ingredients and toppings that allow you to get creative. Try mixing in a few drops of tincture with chocolate or honey before drizzling it over the top. You can also toss some chopped nuts in tincture spiked agave for a sweet crunch. Or, you can mix tincture into jam before spreading it all over your crêpe.
Onion Soup
This simple recipe is easy to make and packs lots of rich flavor through the art of simmering. If you’re a little lazy (or already high), you can add the desired amount of tincture after it’s done cooking on the stove. But, if you feel like going the extra mile, place the soup pot in the oven and top with a piece of bread loaded with heaps of cheese broiled to bubbly perfection. That’s when you’ll add the drops of tincture; because, otherwise, the cannabinoids will lose their integrity. In which case, you’ll have a delectable dinner–but it won’t get you high.
