Valentine's Day Aphrodisiac Foods
If aphrodisiacs were good enough for the Gods, then they are good enough for us modern mortals. Let's face it; exhausting days fueled by caffeine and technology hardly make for ideal foreplay. This Valentine's Day, kick-start your senses with these eight foods that will fuel your libido, and turn up the heat in the kitchen.
For a long, romantic night in:
1. Sweet Basil
Both the scent and taste of sweet basil is known to stimulate sexual desire in both men and women.
From The Daily Meal
Spicy Sriracha is tempered by sweet elderflower and aromatic basil in this Champagne cocktail from 9 Restaurant in New York City.
with
Roasted Root Vegetable Crostini with Pesto
From Food & Wine
For this appetizer, thick slices of toasted bread are covered with a basil pesto and finished with roasted root vegetables. If you don't like roasted vegetables, or are looking for an easier alternative, you can also spread chopped fresh or roasted tomatoes on top.
2. Garlic
Garlic is thought to enhance desirability, as long as you both enjoy it together. Otherwise, when enjoyed by only one person, it can go a long way to spoiling the mood.
Spicy Garlic Pasta with Fried Eggs
From The Daily Meal
This simple dish, made with items that are probably already in your pantry, reminds us of creamy pasta carbonara.
or
This focaccia-like bread is topped with lots of garlic butter, cheese, and thyme. I like it with a glass of bubbly, but it also makes for a delicious accompaniment to roasted meat, fish, or a big bowl of chili.
3. Fish
The high dopamine count of oily fish will make you feel sexy, and it is also good for your heart.
Chef Michael Lomonaco's Slow-Roasted Salmon with Ginger
From The Daily Meal
The slight sweetness of roasted salmon pairs well with the fresh ginger and soy sauce; serve with a side of simply prepared vegetables for a healthy Valentine's Day dish.
4. Honey
Accompany your dinner with a side dish lathered in honey. It contains several B vitamins and is rich in boron, which gets the female libido going.
5. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is rich in a stimulant called phenylethylamine that gives you a sense of well-being and excitement similar to the natural high that endorphins give us. It also tastes delicious. Serve a chocolate dessert like this molten cake to finish the evening; with two spoons, it is perfect to share.
From The Daily Meal
This chocolate cake rises like a soufflé, but the center is still liquidy once you break through with a spoon. Serve with a large dollop of slightly sweetened whipped cream, or crème anglaise (just leave out the pear purée), and a couple of red raspberries.
For an aphrodisiac cocktail hour:
When your busy schedule does not allow for long nights at the dinner table, instead opt for an aphrodisiac-fueled cocktail hour.
1. Oysters
Raw oysters are a rich source of zinc, and will quickly get your libido moving.
Hank's BBQ'd Oysters "Hog Island Style"
From The Daily Meal
While you can serve fresh oysters simply on the half shell, these are topped with a slightly spicy, white wine butter sauce that reminds us of BBQ sauce.
2. Figs
While we might think of figs as a health food, packed full of fiber and antioxidants, this ancient fruit also has a rich aphrodisiac history. The fig has long been associated with fertility and love; it is also said to resemble the female anatomy.
From The Daily Meal
Fresh figs are stuffed with creamy goat cheese before being topped with toasted walnut meal. These bite-sized fruits are a perfect cocktail-hour complement to Champagne or just eaten alone.
3. Champagne
Wash down these nibbles with your favorite dry Champagne. If the bubbles don't get you, the scent will — they say that the smell of dry Champagne is identical to that of female pheromones.
Pomegranate and Champagne Cocktail
In a flute, pour in a splash of pomegranate juice or syrup (pomegranate juice that has been reduced by half, or until syrupy). Top with Champagne, and garnish with a couple of pomegranate seeds. Bubbly, tart, and red... what is not to love about this Valentine's Day drink?