Pimiento cheese & tomato tea sandwiches

Active: 30 minutes; Servings: 24

Cream cheese, room temperature	4 ounces
Pimientos, diced	2 ounces
Mayonnaise	3 tablespoons
Miso paste	2 tablespoons
Canna-infused coconut oil, room temperature	1 tablespoon + 1 ½ teaspoons
Garlic powder	¼ teaspoon
Onion powder	¼ teaspoon
Cayenne	Pinch
Pepper, freshly ground	Pinch
Cheese, Gruyère, grated	½ cup
Cheese, sharp cheddar, grated	1 cup
Salt
Tomatoes, heirloom, medium, preferable three different colors	3
Bread	6 slices
Herbs, fresh	Garnish

1. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer, combine the cream cheese, pimientos, mayonnaise, miso, canna-infused coconut oil, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and pepper. 
2. Beat for about 1 minute on medium speed until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. 
3. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and beat once more. 
4. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the cheeses, mixing until well combined; ensure you incorporate all the way from the bottom and up the sides of the bowl. 
5. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. 
6. Using a serrated knife, cut the tomatoes into 1/8- to 1/4-inch slices; if your tomatoes are large, halve them vertically before slicing. 
7. Place the tomato slices on paper towels to absorb some of the juices. 
8. Lay out the bread slices. 
9. Spread each piece with an equal amount of the cheese spread, about 3-heaping tablespoons (49 grams each), avoiding the edges where the crusts will be cut off.
(Chef note: For the most accurate dosage, weigh the total amount of the cheese spread, and divide by six to determine the amount to spread per slice.)
10. Arrange three to four tomato slices on top, partially overlapping and alternating colors. 
11. Cut off the crusts. 
12. With the long side facing you, halve each piece of bread vertically, then on the diagonal, so you end up with four equal triangles. 
13. Garnish with fresh herbs, and enjoy! 

Chef's notes:

• On my first attempt, I used an 8.01% total THC & 9.53% total CBD balanced bud with my canna-infused oil. With James as my novice cannabis user and test subject, I asked him hourly about his reaction. He ate two full slices, which equals eight appetizer servings. He ranked his high around 10 to 20 percent after an hour. Closer to 70 percent after 2 hours. He's a bit sleepy but still fully functionally after 4 1/2 hours!

 Recipe from Edibles.

Sous vide canna-infused oil

Active: 15 minutes; Sous vide: 4 to 6 hours + 4 to 6 hours

Cannabis, premium such as a sativa or CBD-dominate strain, ground	7 grams (¼ ounce)
Butter or coconut oil, melted	170 grams (6 ounces)

1. Set your sous vide to 197°F. 
2. Vacuum seal your cannabis ingredients in a food-safe plastic bag. 
3. Immerse the sealed bag in the hot water, and simmer for 4 to 6 hours to decarboxylate; simmer longer for larger quantities. 
4. Lower your sous vide to 185°F. 
5. Remove the bag from the water bath, dry with paper towels, and carefully open one end. 
6. Pour the melted oil into the bag, squish around to mix, and reseal. 
7. Immerse the sealed bag back in the hot water, and simmer for 4 to 6 hours; simmer longer for larger quantities. 
8. Remove the bag from the water bath, and let cool for 5 minutes.
9. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a medium bowl and line the strainer with a triple layer of cheesecloth.
10. Pour the cannabis mixture, using a spatula to scrape and press the solids.
11. Gather the cheesecloth and give it a good squeeze to ensure you get all the oil extracted; discard the leftover debris.
12. Label the jar with the date and contents. 
13. Refrigerate to cool, keep refrigerated for up to 1 month, or freeze for up to 6 months.

Recipe moderately modified from Bon Appétit and Edibles.

Second batch used in a canna butter

Sous vide beef chuck roast with honey & spices

Active: 40 minutes + (Optional) fridge rest: 24 hours + Sous Vide cook time: 24 to 48 hours

Beef chuck roast	3 ½ to 4 pounds
Salt, kosher	To taste + 2 teaspoons
Pepper, freshly ground	To taste + 1 teaspoon
Oil, olive	1 tablespoon + 1 tablespoon + 1 tablespoon
Garlic, minced	1 tablespoon
Tomato paste	1 tablespoon
Paprika, smoked	2 tablespoons
Cinnamon, ground	1 teaspoon
Beef demi-glace	1 tablespoon
Bay leaf, dried	1
Thyme, fresh, chopped	2 tablespoons
Wine, red	1 cup
Stock, beef	2 cups
Honey	¼ cup
Onions, cipollini, peeled	2 pounds
Carrots, peeled, chunk cut	1 ½ pounds
Bay leaves, fresh	Garnish (optional)

1. Generously season the beef with the salt and pepper. 
2. Optional: Place in the refrigerator for 24 hours uncovered. 
3. Prepare a sous vide immersion circulation for use according to the its instructions; preheat the water to 135°F medium-raw or 140°F for medium. 
(Chef’s note: I went for 138°F/48H on my first attempt.) 
4. In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm 1-tablespoon oil until just smoking. 
5. Add the garlic, tomato paste, paprika, cinnamon, demi-glace, dried bay leaf, and thyme; cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the wine, and boil for 5 minutes. 
6. Add the stock, honey, 2-teaspoons salt, and 1-teaspoon pepper; simmer for 5 minutes. 
7. Remove from heat, and cool to room temperature. 
8. Place the beef in a vacuum-sealable bag and pour in the stock mixture. 
9. Using a vacuum sealer, vacuum and seal the bag tight; be sure you have a smooth, airtight seal. 
10. Carefully place the bag into the circulating water, and cook for 24 to 48 hours. 
11. One hour before the beef is done, preheat an oven to 450°F. 
12. In a large bowl, toss the onions and carrots with 1-tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. 
13. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast, stirring once midway through, until the vegetables are tender, about 20 to 25 minutes; set aside. 
14. Carefully remove the bag from the circulating water. 
15. Remove the beef from the bag, and place on a paper tower-lined baking sheet; pat dry with paper towels. 
16. Strain the sauce in a bowl. 
17. In an essential pan or large deep sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm the remaining 1-tablespoon oil. 
18. Add the beef and sear, turning about every 3 minutes, until evenly browned. 
19. Transfer to a carving board.
20. Pour off the excess fat from the pan, add the sauce and set over high heat. 
21. Simmer, stirring occasionally and skimming as needed, until the sauce is thickened, about 20 minutes, adding the onions and carrots during the last 5 minutes of cooking. 
22. Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. 
23. Cut the chuck roast into slices. 
24. Transfer to a large platter and spoon the vegetables over and around the meat. 
25. Drizzle some of the sauce over the meat and pour the rest into a bowl. 
26. Garnish the platter with fresh bay leaves. 
27. Serve immediately, and pass the sauce at the table. 

Recipe moderately modified from a Williams Sonoma post.

Roasted cauliflower lasagna

Cauliflower florets	8 cups
Olive oil	1 tablespoon + 1 tablespoon +
Salt, kosher
Tomatoes, whole plum, no-salt added	28 ounces
Water	1 ½ cups
Garlic, sliced chopped	4 + 1
Bell pepper, red, diced	1
Tomato paste	2 tablespoons
Basil leaves, fresh	1 cup
Lasagna noodles, whole wheat	8 ounces
Ricotta	1 cup
Egg	1 large
Mozzarella, shredded	1 cup
Parmesan	¼ cup
Parsley leaves, fresh, chopped	2 tablespoons

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. 
2. Toss the cauliflower with 1-tablespoon oil and ½-teaspoon salt. 
3. Spread the florets in an even layer on a baking sheet and roast, tossing once, until tender and golden in spots, about 30 to 35 minutes; cool slightly. 
4. Place the tomatoes in a medium bowl, and use your hands to crush them. 
5. Rinse the can with the 1 ½-cups water and add it to the bowl with the tomatoes. 
6. Heat the remaining oil with the sliced garlic and ½-teaspoon salt in a small Dutch oven over medium heat until the garlic begins to sizzle and becomes aromatic, about 2 minutes. 
7. Add the bell pepper and cook, stirring, until soft, about 8 minutes. 
8. Add the tomato paste and stir to incorporate, about 30 seconds. 
9. Add the crushed tomatoes with their juices and four large basil leaves. 
10. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened, about 40 minutes. 
11. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. 
12. Add the lasagna noodles one at a time into the pot; cook according to the package directions until al dente. 
13. Drain the noodles in a colander. 
14. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons oil to the noodles, tossing to coat to prevent them from sticking, and drape over the side of a large bowl. 
15. Combine the ricotta, egg, 1 ½-cups roasted cauliflower, and one chopped garlic clove in a food processor and pulse until evenly pureed. 
16. Tear the remaining basil into small pieces, add to the food processor and pulse three to four more times to chop the basil finely, but not puree; transfer the mixture to a medium bowl. 
17. Spread ¼-cup sauce on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. 
18. Place four noodles on the bottom, without overlapping, cutting to fit, if necessary. 
19. Spread with half of the cauliflower-ricotta mixture, followed by half of the roasted cauliflower, one-third of the tomato sauce, one-third of the mozzarella, and one-third of the Parmesan. 
20. Loosely fit three more noodles on top of the cheese without overlapping. 
21. Spread with the remaining cauliflower-ricotta mixture, followed by the remaining roasted cauliflower, one-third more of the tomato sauce, one-third more of the mozzarella, and one-third more of the Parmesan. 
22. Top with the remaining four noodles, cutting just to fit. 
23. Then add the remaining tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan. 
24. Cover with foil and bake until bubbly and hot, about 20 minutes. 
25. Remove the foil and cook until the cheese begins to brown, about 10 minutes more. 
26. Allow to rest for 10 minutes so the lasagna will cut more easily. 
27. Garnish with the parsley. 

Recipe from Food Network

Lee Lee’s double chocolate chunk brownies

Cooking spray
Flour, all-purpose	1 cup
Cocoa powder, Dutch-process	¼ cup
Salt, fine sea	¾ teaspoon
Chocolate wafers, 66% cacao	1 cup + 1/3 cup
Sugar, granulated	1 cup
Butter, unsalted, melted	¾ cup
Sugar, dark brown	½ cup packed
Eggs	3 large
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon

1. Preheat oven to 350°F; line a 13-by-9-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving 2 inches of overhang on all sides. 
2. Lightly coat the parchment paper with cooking spray. 
3. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a small bowl; set aside. 
4. Melt 1-cup chocolate wafers over a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring often, until smooth. 
5. Combine the granulated sugar, melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer. 
6. Beat on medium-high speed until frothy and light caramel in color, about 1 minute. 
7. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly pour the melted chocolate into the egg mixture. 
8. Fold in the flour mixture until incorporated. 
9. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, and smooth the top. 
10. Roughly chop the remaining 1/3-cup chocolate wafers, and sprinkle over the top of the batter. 
11. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18 to 20 minutes. 
12. Cool the brownies in the pan on a wire rack at least 2 hours. 
13. Using the parchment paper as handles, lift the brownies from the pan. 
14. Cut into 20 rectangles. 

Recipe from Food&Wine Magazine, March 2019