Usually I’m not all that into Valentine’s Day, you know kind of like “I don’t need a reserved day for me and my man to have to prove our love for each other!” But let’s face it, Valentine’s Day is here to stay and you might as well try to have fun with it.

Now, I don’t want to totally leave out the singles (I know, you want to punch me in the face right?) so I’ll just say this: if you are single, cherish it and do something nice for yourself. Ladies: Enjoy a sudsy bubble bath, get a manicure and pedicure, watch the most lame and crazy chick flick and order some food for delivery (who knows what could happen with the delivery guy). Guys: Go to the gym to get your testosterone pumping, watch the most rough and tough action movie and sit down with a plate of hot wings while you play online poker. Just forget that it’s Valentine’s Day.

For couples I have some fun aphrodisiac ideas and because this year Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday, it gives you and your honey time to make an aphrodisiac-filled dinner together. The Encyclopedia Britannica lists Aphrodisiac as: any of various forms of stimulation thought to arouse sexual excitement. Aphrodisiacs may be classified in two principal groups: (1) psycho-physiological (visual, tactile, olfactory, aural) and (2) internal (stemming from food, alcoholic drinks, drugs, love potions, medical preparations). I went to a few websites to find out what these sexy foods were and found that GourmetSleuth.com had the best results.

Here are some aphrodisiacs and some recipes that go along with them so you can put together a love inspired menu that’s sure to get you some action:
Asparagus: Asparagus with Lemon Butter, Cream of Asparagus Soup
Almond: Almond Sauce Chicken Breast
Arugula: Prosciutto with Pears and Arugula
Avacado: Grilled Avocado Rockamole
Chocolate: Simply the Best Chocolate Cake
Coffee: Coffee Crusted Beef Tenderloin
Garlic: Creamy Garlic Sauce
Pine Nuts: Couscous with Pine Nuts
Raspberries: Sugar Snap Pea and Berry Salad
Strawberries: Strawberry and Mozzarella Salad
Vanilla: Crème Brulee
Wine/Champaign (alcohol): Risotto in a Lemon Cup, Chicken Marsala

Here are some recipes and incorporate 2 or more aphrodisiac ingredients:
Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Rosemary, Chocolate and Wine Sauce, Tiramisu, Raspberry Hot Chocolate, Crouton Salad, Braised Chicken with Mushrooms and Almonds

Other aphrodisiacs include: Aniseed, Asafetida, Bananas, Sweet Basil, Broccoli Rabe, Carrots, Coriander, Fennel, Figs, Ginger, Honey, Liquorice, Mustard, Nutmeg, Oysters, Pineapple, Truffles.

My last tip: BRUSH YOUR TEETH AFTER YOUR MEAL or no one will want to kiss anyone!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Tags | cooking, Valentines Day