Top Five Aphrodisiacs to share with your Valentine

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For many, now is the time to start planning that special romantic meal for two that is shared on February 14th! If you are making reservations its best to get on top of that right away. But for those who prefer a more intimate, romantic and hassle-free evening, creating and sharing a home-cooked meal is the best option. This Valentine’s Day why not add a few aphrodisiacs to your menu and let the sparks fly!

1. Champagne
Apropos for a special celebration and a symbol for love, Champagne would certainly rank among the top five aphrodisiacs for love.  Select an elegant set of glasses and christen the evening with the festive sound of a popping cork. Share in the delight of taking in its sparkling effervescence as you begin to feel a sense of euphoria and anticipation of a very special evening with each sip taken.

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A Champagne Cocktail for Love /  Makes 1 cocktail
    2  ounces fresh tangerine juice
    1/2 ounce rose water
    2 fresh mint leaves
    2 ounces dry (slightly sweet) champagne

Add the tangerine juice and rose water to a champagne flute.
Twist the mint leaves with your fingers and drop them in the glass.
Fill the glass with champagne.

2. Seafood
Not only does Seafood go perfectly with Champagne….there is just something sexy about eating seafood. Think of slurping a raw oyster; feeding your lover a beautifully prepared canape with caviar followed by a shot of vodka, or sharing a piece of lobster dipped in butter. There are many varieties of seafood that have found their way on top lists of aphrodisiacs: Caviar, lobster, oysters, scallops and clams.  Here is a wonderful appetizer to consider for your Valentine Seduction Meal by Alton Brown–Scallops on the Half Shell. The presentation is greatly enhanced by taken the extra step of purchasing the shells to serve the Scallops on, or perhaps you have scallop appetizer plates such as these from Micheal Aram.

Sweaty palms, increased heart rate, raised body temperatures- feels just like love right? Well, the right pepper will have you thinking that if you didn’t know better, but how wonderful is the spicy pepper and all it brings to a dish.  If you are a steak lover, here is a spicy dish that will liven things up: Grilled Ribeye Steak or Filet Mignon with Chimichurri Sauce. Originating from Argentina, Chimichurri is a delicious sauce simply made from chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. It is typically served with grilled steak, but can be served over chicken, fish and roasted vegetables. For all those garlic lovers out there….this is your sauce! You may even consider it your all time favorite,  or just… the BEST sauce ever!

chimichurri sauce1.jpg4. Chocolate, the Elixir of Love

It is truly amazing to watching a person succumbing to their chocolate desires…with their eyes closed, and their motions slowed downy to savor every moment of this its experience – dare I say…it’s almost orgasmic. For many, chocolate is one of life’s true culinary pleasures. I would have to agree, although I put it right next to ice-cream. Hell, some say its better than sex!  Long  accepted as a Valentine’s Day tradition, chocolate goes hand-in-hand as a choice gift with long stem roses or any flowers for that matter. Shower your lover with this powerful aphrodisiac to find out if it truly increases one’s sexual libido.

chocolate.jpg5. Honey
Deliciously tempting, there is a reason honey is always listed as a top food for love. In medieval times, people drank a fermented drink made from honey which they believed promoted sexual desire. This drink, called mead, was shared between newlyweds in hopes of igniting flames of passion during their “honey month” or honeymoon.  Luxuriously smooth, sticky and sweet – you can get very creative with your use of honey. Here is a tempting way to end your Valentine’s Day meal: a special dessert of Pears in Honey and Pine Nut Caramel with Artisanal Cheese.