Why not put some real pot in Thanksgiving potluck ideas this weekend?

We spoke to three cannabis influencers on how to bring cannabis to the dinner table.

Gin & Juice with a canna-twist

With the simplest of ingredients, one can make a delicious canna-punch. Warren Bobrow, the Cocktail Whisperer, says the key ingredient in his take on the classic Gin and Juice is the orange juice made with roasted oranges. The botanical gin, says Bobrow, “acts as a guide dog, if you will, for the THC. It’s really lovely!”

Ingredients

2 oz. botanical gin of your choice, with 0.25 g of THC-rich cannabis
4 oz. roasted orange juice
2 oz. ginger beer syrup (Bobrow uses Pickett’s)
4 oz. club soda
Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters

Directions

1. Heat the cannabis in a 240 degree F oven for 45 minutes. Cool and set aside.
2. Add cannabis and the botanical gin to an iSi whipped cream maker.
3. Force two or three Nitrous oxide (N2O) cartridges into the cannabis and the gin. Strain and set aside.
4. Add the ginger beer syrup.
5. Float roasted orange juice on top.
6. Finish with 4 oz. club soda.
7. Stir well and dot with Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters.

For a final finish, Bobrow suggests a celebratory swizzle.

Cheese and Chive mashed potatoes

War veteran, Red Seal chef, cannabis activist and father of three, Cody Lindsay is ‘The Wellness Soldier.’ Lindsay is dedicated to helping Canadian veterans live healthier lives through good food, cannabis and physical fitness. His goat cheese and chive mashed potatoes use cannabis butter, which is fairly straightforward to make ahead of time.

Ingredients

2.5 pounds of potatoes
10 oz. package of soft ripened goat cheese
25 chives
2 garlic cloves
½ cup cannabis butter
½ cup vegetable stock
½ cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Peel and cut potatoes.
2. Boil in salted water for approx. 30-40 minutes or until fork tender.
3. Strain potatoes from liquid.
4. Place strained potatoes in a mixing bowl.
5. Add remaining ingredients and mash/incorporate well (use your dosage of cannabis butter).
6. Add more stock or cream if a creamier consistency is wanted.

Kief-infused cranberry sauce

Pastry chef Jennifer Blakney infuses baked creations with cannabis for Feel Like More Co., and private culinary events. Blakney is also a cannabis educator and will be bringing her expertise to a panel about cannabis and edibles at the upcoming Canadian Restaurant & Bar Show.

“Kief has a subtle earthy flavour that makes it a perfect complement to the sweet tartness of cranberry sauce,” says Blakney. “The amount of kief suggested in the recipe will yield an estimated dose of 5 mg per person. You can, of course, add more if you like. For those with higher tolerance levels, I suggest taste testing the sauce if you’re adding more than 100 mg, adjusting salt and lemon juice as you go.” She suggests fresh-squeezed orange juice over store-bought varieties to allow better control over the sugar content.

Ingredients

¾ cup sugar
½ cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
½ cup water
12 oz. fresh cranberries (rinsed and picked through)
1 tsp. pinch of salt
¼ tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. lemon juice
40 mg decarboxylated kief

 Directions

1. Combine the sugar, orange juice and water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine.
2. Add cranberries, salt, cinnamon and lemon juice.
3. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently.
4. Continue cooking for about 10 minutes, or until all or most of the cranberries have popped. I suggest leaving a few whole to create a nice variety of textures.
5. When desired texture has been achieved, add kief and stir to combine. Remove from heat.
6. Let cool for at least 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

This dish can be made up to three days in advance.

A note on dosing:THC levels indicated for final dishes (either per serving or otherwise) are estimates only. Optimal dosing of cannabis depends on both specific strains and the individual consuming them; questions should be directed to a healthcare professional. Any infused product should be handled with care, stored away from children and pets and clearly marked.