The virus pandemic has shuttered people away into their homes, drastically changing the way people lead their everyday lives. While medical professionals, hospital staff, and other essential workers are thrust into a whole new battlefield and landscape, people at home have also been forced to grapple with a new reality: how they work, socialize, and of course, how they eat – all these have changed with the coming of the coronavirus pandemic.

There’s no denying that these have been unprecedented times, especially on an economic, social, and political scale. With individuals and governments alike dealing with the virus pandemic, we certainly find ourselves in a unique situation. On the one hand, our routines and habits have been disrupted and altered to fit the ‘new normal’ – from thinking smart about food spending and food waste to taking precautions when we go out. On the other hand, this virus pandemic opened up new possibilities and avenues for people, with most turning to their pantries, kitchens, and stoves to cook.

As people continue to stay quarantined in efforts to help flatten the curve, many individuals have turned into cooking and baking their way at home as a means to cope with stress, anxiety, and the collective trauma the pandemic has caused. Although an unfortunate situation for everyone to be in, there is perhaps a silver lining to all of this: people are cooking and spending more time in their kitchens, getting a sense of normalcy, and taking care of themselves.

More than cooking for sustenance and daily nutrition, people have been turning to cook for comfort, relief, and entertainment. Alongside their kitchen ventures (and mishaps), many individuals have resulted in experimenting with CBD oil and cannabis cooking to help put them into a more relaxed state.

Why Cook with CBD

For those who are lucky to live in states and areas where dispensaries and cannabis delivery services are available, cooking with CBD oil might be a good idea. For those who don’t know, cannabidiol is highly regarded for its pain- and stress-relieving properties. Unlike its tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) counterpart which contains the psychoactive compound of cannabis, CBD is not psychoactive, meaning it won’t get you feeling inebriated when you do consume it.

Instead, cannabidiol acts as an effective pain-relieving treatment without altering your state of mind. More than addressing pain, there have been studies which found that CBD oil is actually effective in reducing anxiety and depression, thus making it the perfect accompaniment during this collective traumatic time for each and every one.

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD oil is also great for individuals who normally suffer from breakouts or acne, especially when used directly on the skin as a serum or moisturizer of sorts. However, directly consuming or ingesting this also works from within as it helps lower high blood pressure, thereby boosting heart health.

In a time where emotions and stress levels are running high, and let’s face it, the virus threatening our immune system, working with CBD oil in the kitchen is sure to add wonders not our general health and wellbeing, it can also act as a welcome respite for our current mental state.

Due to its wealth of benefits and health properties, cannabidiol certainly makes its case for quarantine cooking.

The Case for Quarantine Cooking

For many people, cooking and baking have always been associated with comfort and healing. It can help provide a sense of escape and happiness in this pandemic. At the same time, this very art acts as a way for individuals to keep their mind off of things, while also giving them a sense of pride and accomplishment with every dish or baked goods they churn out.

As governments and countries around the world call for social and or physical distancing in the time of corona, food can still very much serve its purpose even when people are miles away, that is to bring people together. Despite ordinances and initiatives surrounding social distancing, the very notion of food perseveres and communities come together by sharing their creations and recipes on social media. It has become a huge online support group, with almost all members trying to navigate this challenging and terrifying landscape.

Today, many even share their blessings and home-cooked meals to less fortunate people by sharing their time and talent and taking these to the streets or soup and food kitchens in numerous parts of the world. Some even bring food to frontliners in the hopes of expressing support (and as a way to give sustenance) to these brave souls.

More than fostering a sense of community via social media, food aficionados and newly inspired home cooks are now seeing cooking and baking as a means of deviating from the anxieties the outside world brings – albeit temporarily.

Comforting Pantry Recipes with CBD Oil

Now that the case for cooking with CBD in the time of coronavirus has been made, it’s high time we jump onto some comforting recipes you can do in your own home. Not to worry, though, as most ingredients are already found in your own pantry. In case you might be lacking some things, it’s easy enough to forego or even entirely substitute these ingredients for something else that can work. During this time when food and essentials have been more important than ever, it’s time to get creative.

Appetizer: Green Salad with CBD Hemp Oil Vinaigrette

While comfort foods are all the rage these days, it’s also essential to consume healthy meals and dishes to keep your immune system strong. One way you can do this is by eating a bowl of salad greens for lunch or dinner or serving your sandwich with a side of these greens.

For this recipe, you will only need ¼ cup of EVOO, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a quarter of a lemon, squeezed, a teaspoon of honey, and 2 full droppers of your CBD hemp oil. Place all ingredients in a jar and shake well until incorporated. Pour over your green salad. Top your salad with more healthy ingredients such as soft boiled eggs, flax seeds, tomatoes, and yes, even cheese.

Entrée: Cilantro Cashew Pesto Pasta

For a refreshing take on good ol’ pesto pasta, why not switch up your nuts and your oil of choice? For this recipe, you’ll be using a cup of cashews (or any nut of choice), a cup of cilantro, a handful of scallions, 2 garlic cloves, 3 tablespoons of honey, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons of CBD-infused olive oil, and a teaspoon of salt.

Cook your pasta in a heavily salted pot of boiling water until al dente. In a separate bowl, simply combine all ingredients. Alternatively, you may also use a food processor if you wish and blend the mixture until smooth. However, more chunks and textures allow you to achieve a rustic-looking and tasting sauce. Pour the mixture over the cooked pasta and serve. You may also drizzle the sauce over fish, steaks, or even other veggie-based dishes.

Dessert: CBD Oil Brownies

Nothing spells comfort food like brownies, especially those that are fresh and warm from the oven. You can just imagine this gooey, fudgy goodness hugging your whole being. Plus, its very contents help you calm down thanks to its wealth of CBD oil benefits.

For this recipe by Tastemade, you’ll need the following:

• 240 grams of ground almonds
• 50 grams of cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons of baking power
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 50 grams of coconut oil
• 180 grams of coconut sugar
• 10 milliliters of CBD oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons of plant-based milk
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 200 grams dark chocolate chips

To make this, preheat your oven to 100 C/140 C with the fan on. Line your 20 x 20 centimeter brownie tray with parchment paper and grease until all sides have been covered. In a bowl, simply mix all dry ingredients together. Then, in another bowl, combine all the wet ingredients.

Pour the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until all ingredients have been fully incorporated. Add the chocolate chips and place this onto the brownie tray. Feel free to add more chocolate chips on top. Bake for around 30 minutes. Allow to cool then serve.

For a more decadent treat, go ahead and top your serving with a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Bonus: CBD Moscow Mule

It’s always five o’clock somewhere, right? If the days have been going by in a blur and have been making you extra antsy, ease your worries away with a cool and refreshing glass of Moscow mule laced with CBD.

Make this by filling a copper mug with ice. Then, add 2 ounces of vodka, an ounce of fresh lime juice, CBD ginger syrup or a few drops of CBD oil, and ice. Top the mixture with ginger beer and finish it off with a sprig of mint and a side of a lime wedge.

The Bottom Line

Cooking may be a solitary activity, especially during life in quarantine. However, with these new and rediscovered recipes, you can bridge gaps and still bring the cooking community something new.