National Hemp Month: Celebrate July with these hemp seed-based recipes
July is observed as National Hemp Month, celebrating one of the most versatile plants hemp. Also called the Cannabis Sativa plant, it belongs to the same family of plants as marijuana, however, the two are completely poles apart. A strong natural fiber with more than 50,000 different uses including food, hemp seeds are used to prepare a host of offerings. Here are some recipes.
Hemp butter
In a food processor, add 1.5 cups of hemp seeds and blend them for five to six minutes by taking regular intervals in between so that the processor doesn't heat up. You can take breaks worth two-three minutes. That's it! Your homemade hemp butter is ready. Transfer it to an air-tight container and refrigerate. You can store it in your fridge for a month.
Banana hemp muffins
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Now grab a large mixing bowl and mix whole wheat flour, rolled oats, hemp hearts, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger. Separately, add vanilla, mashed bananas, oil, and eggs in a different bowl. Combine the content of the two bowls. Your batter is ready! Pour it into muffin molds and bake for about 20 minutes.
Hemp seeds pudding
Take a pudding jar and place the following ingredients in the order mentioned - 1/4 cup of cooked quinoa, 1/4 cup of grated carrots, two tablespoons of chia seeds, two tablespoons of hemp seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Now top it all with 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of coconut milk. Refrigerate, top with nuts, and serve.
Tofu and hemp burger
Lightly toast hemp seeds on medium heat and then grind them. Soak in heated milk for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, mash tofu and mix with beans, yeast flakes, parsley, garlic, onions, celery, hemp sauce, and tomato paste. Shape them into burger patties and dip the burger buns in the hemp mixture. Cook on both sides, place inside burger buns, and layer with cheese and veggies.
Cocoa and protein hemp balls
Process some pitted dates along with hemp hearts, cocoa powder, grated coconut, coconut oil, salt, and chocolate until you attain a sticky dough. Shape this dough into balls and roll them in shredded coconut and melted dark chocolate until nicely coated. Freeze for 15 to 20 minutes and they are ready to be consumed. You can also enjoy them right away instead of freezing.
