The plant requires less water and virtually no pesticides. Hemp seeds are packed full of essential nutrients and proteins. Let’s take a quick look at their benefits.
Protein Powerhouse – Hemp seeds are one of the complete proteins in the plant kingdom. These seeds contain all known amino acids (proteins), with 21 of them.
Perfectly Balanced Blend of Essential Fatty Acids – Hemp seeds contain the perfect blend of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. The ideal ratio for the human body is 3:1, which is hard to find occurring naturally.
Fantastic Fibers – Hemp seeds are full of soluble and insoluble fiber that helps keep your digestive system functioning correctly.
Overloaded with Oxidants – The hemp seed is chock full of vitamin E and tocopherol, which are excellent antioxidants. Antioxidants are good for atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer.
Now Down to Business
Because we love hemp so much, we add hemp seeds to many of our favorite food dishes. Here are five of our favorite hemp seed recipes for you to try out.
Breakfast Smoothies
Our morning starts with a hemp smoothie using whatever fruit we have available. For this, you can use pre-ground hemp protein powder or grind the seeds in a coffee mill. Alternatively, you can add them to your smoothie whole and blend them in. No matter your choice, hemp seed smoothies make a protein-packed way to start your day.
Ingredients
- 1 large banana (ripe)
- 2 tablespoons hemp power or 2-3 tablespoons of hemp seeds
- 3 tablespoons of your favorite fruit (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.)
- 1 heaping teaspoon of flax seeds
- 1 cup almond, hemp, rice, or soy milk
Instructions
- Add measured ingredients to your blender’s container
- Blend on high until smooth and creamy
- Add a few hulled hemp seeds to the top of each glass and serve.
Granola with Hemp Seeds, Dates, and Oats
Granola makes an excellent filling and nutritious breakfast. It’s also straightforward to make, and you can vary the ingredients to meet your tastes or for a change of pace.
Ingredients
- 2 C. oats (gluten-free)
- 3/4 C. maple syrup
- 1/2 C. raw almonds (chopped or sliced)
- 1/4 C. flax seeds
- 2 T. hemp seeds
- 2 T. olive oil (extra-virgin for better flavor
- 1/2 Tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 Tsp. salt
- 1/4 Tsp pure vanilla extract
- 6 Medjool dates cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray
- Heat maple syrup and dates in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until boiling, reduce heat, and simmer to loosen and soften dates. (be sure to stir occasionally)
- Mash dates using the back of a spoon, add olive oil, and mix to combine.
- Add vanilla and mix.
In a separate bowl:
- Mix oats, hemp seeds, almonds, flax seeds, salt, and finally, the cinnamon until combined.
- Mix well with the mixture of dates and syrup over the dry ingredients.
- Spread the mixture over the parchment paper and press into an even layer. (use a sheet of parchment paper and the back of a spoon to create a coating that is 1/2-inch thick)
- Bake for ten minutes, remove from oven, and gently stir the mix, making sure you get the edges mixed in.
- Cover with an aluminum foil tent and bake for ten more minutes.
- Cool, break up, and place in an airtight container.
Lunch with Mushroom Burgers with Hemp Seeds and Herbs
We make these in large batches and freeze them, so they are available whenever we want them. You might be amazed at how tasty these are, and you can serve them in a bun just like a meat-based hamburger or on a plate with sautéed onions, green peppers, and mushrooms.
Ingredients
- 4 C. your favorite mushrooms (button mushrooms work best, but shiitake are also very tasty)
- 5 T. hemp seeds (those with hulls intact have more nutritional value)
- 3 T. dill finely chopped
- 2 Tsp thyme (dry, if using fresh, cut in thirds and adjust to taste)
- 2 T. ground flax seeds in 3 T. of water (you can also use one large egg)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 T nutritional yeast
- 3 to 4 T hemp protein powder or ground hemp seeds
- Oil for frying and cooking
- 4 T white wine (optional)
Instructions
- Add flax seeds to water and let soak to thicken (approx. 5 mins.).
- Sauté onion in oil until soft.
- Add chopped mushrooms, thyme, and wine (if used) to the pan, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Remove pan from heat and add nutritional yeast and the flax seeds; mix well.
- Add to the dill and hemp seeds or protein powder. While in the mixing stage, care must be taken. Add the hemp powder slowly until the mix is thick enough to form patties.
- You can fry them in oil in a non-stick pan, place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake them at 400 F for 25-30 minutes.
Hemp Seed Meatballs with Lentils and Quinoa
Looking for a great new vegan meatball to add to your pasta dishes? Try this one, and your family will be amazed at their taste.
- 1 C. red lentils, cooked and drained
- 1/2 C. cooked quinoa, use your favorite variety
- 3 T. sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 T. ground flax seed
- 2 -3 T. hulled/shelled hemp seeds
- 1 T. oat flour
- 1 T. nutritional yeast
- One tsp oregano
- 1/2 Tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 Tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 Tsp. Sea salt, or to taste
- 1/8 Tsp. Black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 – 3/4 C. breadcrumbs or Panko
Instructions
Making these “meatballs” couldn’t be easier.
- First, mix everything but the breadcrumbs in a food processor and pulse six to eight times. Be careful not to overmix.
- Add breadcrumbs to a shallow mixing bowl.
- Remove a small amount of the mix using a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop.
- Form a ball with your hands.
- Roll balls in breadcrumbs
- Finally, cook them by frying them in a small amount of oil or baking them at 400F for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Add to your favorite dish.
Herbs and Hemp Seed Dressing
You can use this delicious dressing on salads, sandwiches, or raw or roasted veggies. It’s perfect for those on a vegan diet who have nut allergies.
Ingredients
- 3/4 C. hemp seeds
- 2/3 C. water
- 2 – 3 cloves garlic or more if you prefer
- 3 dates (Medjool)
- 2 T. lemon juice (use fresh if possible)
- One T. apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tsp. dried oregano
- 1 Tsp. dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add hemp seed to a bowl and cover with water. Allow them to soak overnight or at least 2 to 3 hours because this will allow them to soften. Above all, rinse the seeds until the water runs clear.
- Finally, add hemp seeds, dates, vinegar, water, lemon juice, and garlic to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. If necessary, you can add more water.
- Pour mixture into a bowl, and add oregano and parsley. Use a whisk to mix well, and season with salt and pepper. Most importantly, be sure you store them in an airtight container in your fridge to keep as this will keep them fresher.
