CANNABIS-INFUSED BRAISED LAMB MEATBALLS WITH TOMATO SAFFRON ORZO

A Mediterranean family-style dinner with deep savory flavor and a polished centerpiece feel. Tender lamb meatballs are simmered in a rich tomato sauce, then spooned over silky saffron orzo and finished with cannabis mint butter. It is hearty, elegant, and built to land right in the middle of the table.

Terpene Pairing

Caryophyllene + Linalool — warm spice and soft herbal calm that fit lamb, tomato, and mint beautifully.

Suggested Strains

Wedding Cake • Lavender • OG Kush

Step 1 — Decarboxylation

Ingredients

3.5 g cannabis flower (medium grind)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 240°F / 115°C.
2. Spread cannabis evenly on a parchment-lined tray.
3. Bake 35–40 minutes, stirring halfway through.
4. Allow to cool completely.

Step 2 — Cannabis Mint Butter

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup water
Decarboxylated cannabis
2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
½ tsp black pepper
1 small garlic clove, minced

Instructions

1. Melt butter and water in a saucepan over very low heat.
2. Add cannabis, mint, pepper, and garlic.
3. Maintain 160–180°F.
4. Simmer gently 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
5. Strain through cheesecloth.
6. Refrigerate until butter solidifies.
7. Remove butter layer and discard water.

Step 3 — Lamb Meatballs

Ingredients

2 lbs ground lamb
1 small onion, grated and squeezed dry
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup chopped parsley
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 egg
⅓ cup fresh breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Mix until just combined.
3. Roll into medium meatballs.
4. Chill 15–20 minutes.

Step 4 — Brown the Meatballs

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or braiser over medium-high heat.
2. Brown meatballs 2–3 minutes per side until deeply colored.
3. Transfer to a plate.

Step 5 — From-Scratch Tomato Saffron Sauce

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 cup chicken stock
Pinch saffron
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in the same pan.
2. Cook onion 4–5 minutes until softened.
3. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
4. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute.
5. Add crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, saffron, salt, and pepper.
6. Simmer 8 minutes.

Step 6 — Braise the Meatballs

Instructions

1. Return browned meatballs to the sauce.
2. Cover and simmer 20–25 minutes until cooked through and tender.
3. Stir in 1 tbsp cannabis mint butter right at the end.

Step 7 — Saffron Orzo

Ingredients

1½ cups orzo
3 cups chicken stock
Pinch saffron
2 tbsp butter
Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Bring stock and saffron to a simmer.
2. Stir in orzo.
3. Cook 8–10 minutes until tender.
4. Stir in butter and a pinch of salt.

Step 8 — Finish and Plate

Ingredients

Cooked saffron orzo
Braised lamb meatballs
1 tbsp cannabis mint butter
Fresh mint
Parsley
Cracked black pepper

Instructions

1. Spoon saffron orzo onto a large platter or shallow family dish.
2. Arrange lamb meatballs over the top.
3. Spoon tomato sauce generously over everything.
4. Melt remaining cannabis mint butter and drizzle lightly.
5. Finish with mint, parsley, and cracked black pepper.