On Chopped 420, inventive and surprising cannabis-based ingredients are featured in every episode, and we're here to discuss the top five weed-based ingredients used on the show. Viewers have been blown away by the stunning range of cannabis products that the chefs use. These innovative ingredients take their dishes to a higher level.
Chefs on the OG Chopped have their cooking skills put to the test in a competition that requires them to incorporate a basket of often-bizarre ingredients into an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. On Chopped 420, the chefs must do the same, while also making use of a greenhouse filled with every form of weed imaginable. The goal is to showcase the flavors of cannabis in their dishes. Each round, the chef that does the worst job of crafting a delicious and creative cannabis-centric dish gets the chop.
TCH Sriracha is an incredibly popular Asian hot sauce with a weed component, and the chefs on Chopped 420 have made great use of the THC Sriracha at their disposal. Versatile and spicy, chefs have used the TCH Sriracha in sauces, glazes, garnishes, and more. However, because it contains the psychoactive compound TCH, they have to use a light hand.
In one episode of Chopped 420, a chef incorporated CBD salsa into his dish to add an homage to his Hispanic heritage. Though not as versatile, the CBD salsa can inject a lot of flavor into a dish. The cannabis element in the salsa is CBD, which is a non-psychoactive component. This means that judges can eat more of it for the calming effects while pacing themselves.
THC sesame oil is another staple in the Asian pantry and the THC-infused variety featured on Chopped 420 offers chefs a world of possibilities. Competing chefs have used THC sesame oil on salads and in sauces and marinades. Sesame oil is best used in small amounts so as not to be overpowering, and that's ideal for an ingredient containing THC.
It doesn’t get much more versatile than Canna flour, and the cannabis-based version is a good choice for making baked goods. There’s no easier way to infuse a dish with cannabis than by baking up something with the good stuff already in the flour. The Canna flour can also be used for a roux, which is the base of a cream sauce or gravy. This ingredient gives Chopped chefs a lot to work with.
The chefs on Chopped 420 can go sweet or savory when they pick up a jar of THC peanut butter. They can whip up a Thai satay sauce or incorporate the peanut butter into a dessert, preferably one with chocolate in it. Peanut butter is a beloved classic, so it’s hard to go wrong, no matter what direction a chef goes. Perhaps a gourmet fluffernutter is in order?
Many fans have gotten tired of the Chopped franchise in recent years, criticizing the lack of talented chefs and complaining that the show has gotten stale. However, on Chopped 420, the extra component of cannabis-based ingredients has injected some much-needed excitement. Chefs must not only incorporate the off-the-wall ingredients given to them each round but also infuse their dishes with cannabis. It’s not an easy task, and that’s what makes the weed-centric spin-off so riveting to watch.