Valentine’s Day Food Choices that Rekindle the Flame

 
When Valentine’s Day rolls around, love is in the air. If you want love to be in the bedroom, choose dinner fare that will lead in that direction. Certain foods are known aphrodisiacs and can inspire romance.

What is an aphrodisiac? It is something that arouses our libido. It can be a scent, an image, or even a food. Eating that particular food will get the eater hot and bothered in a good way.

If that is the direction you are looking to go with your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day, then look no further than the kitchen. They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. On February 14th, we will wow his or her brain to turn on the rest of their body.

Here are some of the foods you might want to add to the menu on Valentine’s Day.

1.  Oysters – these hard-shelled ocean beauties have long been used to initiate sexual desire. People who never even dared touch an oyster were looking to the slimy delights to help them turn on the charm. Oysters can be eaten in a number of ways from on the half shell to dipped and fried in batter. However you can get them down your gullet, they are said to be a natural aphrodisiac.
2. Chocolate – Over the last couple of years, everyone has been touting the amazing properties of chocolate. We aren’t just talking about any chocolate but dark chocolate. It contains the largest percentage of cacao and produces those “feel good” endorphins that make us ready for anything. Even the Aztec ruler, Montezuma, used to indulge in a drink made with cacao before spending the evening with his concubines.
3. Hot Peppers – Have you ever eaten something very hot and felt the warmth run through your body? The substance in hot foods like peppers and cayenne pepper is called capsaicin. It causes a thermogenic reaction in the body that speeds up the metabolism. Combine that with some chocolate and oysters (maybe not all together) and you could have an evening of love that is made to order.
4. Alcohol – Here we are specifically talking about wine and champagne. Some would argue that the reason that alcohol acts as an aphrodisiac is that it lowers our inhibitions. Even so, we wouldn’t do anything that we didn’t already have in our minds to do. The alcohol is a convenient excuse to have some fun. Let the bubbles tickle your nose and light a fire in your loins.

There are plenty of other things that act as aphrodisiacs, too. If a food gives you that “all over” good feeling, use it to get you in the mood on Valentine’s Day and every day of the year.

Romantic Valentine’s Desserts

What will you give your sweetheart this year for Valentine’s Day? If the gift includes a quiet dinner at home or out, consider a few romantic ideas for dessert. Turn on the charm as you provide a sweet ending to the meal.

Maybe you want to get out for dinner this Valentine’s Day. If you have kids, a little rest and relaxation as a couple instead of a couple of parents is probably in order. Skip dessert at the restaurant and share some cozy moments at home with a dessert made for two.

Even if you are not the baking type, you can still have tasty desserts. Order one from a gourmet bakery or the bakery section of your grocery store. There will be no shortage of interesting desserts available for the tasting on this day.

How about fruit? Fruit always has a way of sneaking into Valentine’s Day somehow. Try chocolate covered strawberries. If you want a twist on the traditional milk chocolate, try plump red strawberries dipped in white or dark chocolate. Let them come to room temperature before eating them with a glass of champagne.

Try some puddings. We often think of chocolate on Valentine’s Day but that is not the only flavor of pudding. Try banana or vanilla. Top it off with whipped cream and some cherries for a light yet sweet dessert.

Whatever you choose for a romantic dessert, eat it in moderation. On the one day set aside for romance, you don’t want to gorge yourself on rich dessert and fall asleep before the romance can begin. Choose a dessert that you can feed to each other (for a little extra fun), or one that is not too filling.

Instead of a large cake, use ramekin dishes to bake individual cakes that are perfect for a romantic dessert treat. Chocolate lava cakes, strawberry shortcake, and others will bake nicely in smaller dishes. Top with rich sauce, icing, or powdered sugar. There will be just enough dessert to satisfy.

Another idea would involve preparing an assortment of desserts like with fondue. You can create a sweet sauce in the fondue pot like chocolate (white or dark) and then dip cubed pieces of dessert into it. Small inch squares of cake and fruit slices go well with chocolate. Even marshmallows can be included. Take turns feeding each other the tasty tidbits.

Romantic desserts set the stage for an amorous evening. Choose something simple that will satisfy the sweet tooth without making you too tired for couple’s time afterwards. 

 Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two