Love food - culinary aphrodisiacs

Krysta Anderson, Lifestyle Reporter

The countdown to Valentine's Day is on, and mouth-watering fruits, delectable confectioneries, fine wines, and steamy romantic dinners await the passionate lovers and sweethearts. What better way to spice up this Valentine's Day than with meals filled with aphrodisiacs and seductive foods?

According to nutritionist and aphrodisiac specialists, there are foods designed to stimulate and excite the taste buds, along with your erotic instincts.

Famed aphrodisiac expert and author of Romancing the Stove: The Unabridged Guide to Aphrodisiac Foods, Amy Riley, offered a little insight into the benefits of using love food to spice up the mood.

"Aphrodisiac foods can help put you in a romantic mood both physically and mentally. A meal of sensual textures, tastes and aromas helps you to get out of your head and into that moment, connecting with that someone special. And, of course, the right choice of ingredients can raise body temperature, quicken the pulse and even boost libido," she expressed.

In no particular order, here are a few traditional and unconventional love ingredients you can use to add spice to your breakfast, lunch and dinner on V-Day:

Fruit

Fruits, eaten at the start or the end of a meal, for centuries, have been an integral aspect of the bedroom. There are some such as bananas, cherries, watermelon and pomegranate, however, which are known aphrodisiacs. Bananas are high in potassium, magnesium, B vitamins, chelating minerals, and the bromeliad enzyme, which increases the male libido. Cherries contain potassium, which promotes a spike in hormone level, and consuming it produces pheromone, a result from sexual attraction. Water-melon has been known to have an effect similar to that of Viagra in the bedroom. Pome-granate elevates testosterone levels and assists with being active where it counts.

Asparagus and Avocado

Although not very popular in Jamaica, asparagus, high in potassium, fibre, vitamin B6, vitamins A and C, is great for boosting both the male and female libido. Add this aphrodisiac to your dinner this Valentine's Day and it may be beneficial to you later in steaming up the bedroom. Avocado, rich in folic acid, vitamin B6, and potassium, also increases the libido.

Olive oil

Many associate olive oil with a massage, but what you do not know is that the consumption of olive oil can facilitate seductive enhancement as well. Flavouring fish, chicken and vegetables, not only does olive oil assist in the health department, but its richness in Vitamin E can aid in improving your sex life.

Shrimp and Salmon

Marine life has its place in exciting the senses. Shrimp is a natural aphrodisiac and the sensual delight has been known to stir things up underneath it all, while salmon, with protein, B vitamins, and rich in omega-3 fatty acids, sets the right mood or heightens it even further.

Basil

The sweet aroma of basil not only enhances a meal from a culinary standpoint, but it also has a stimulating effect. Italians, lovers of pastas, saw basil as an essential ingredient, so add this spice to your pastas for the evening of love.

Liquid libations

We all know of liquid courage, but there are two specific beverages that can help in getting the bedroom games started. For the ladies, there is nothing more romantic than red wine to get those lustful sparks going, and for the men, you can actually think about drinking a stout beer (now we know why the Dragon stout-flavoured ice cream is such a popular choice for men in Jamaica). A Guinness also comes highly recommended in heightening the mood.

Chocolate

The Valentine's Day staple is none other than the chocolate, and there is a reason for this. Chocolate has been identified as comfort food, and with ingredients such as anandamide, the psyochoactive feel-good chemical, and phenylethylamine, the 'love chemical', they send pleasure signals through the roof once consumed in the right setting.

Chili Peppers

If you want to spice things up, literally, why not go for some chili peppers and use it to prepare your meals? This powerful punch in flavour comes with capsaicin, which boosts body temperature and heart rate that will definitely heat things up.

Oysters

Oysters, the ultimate in aphrodisiacs, contain zinc, which enhances libido and increases sperm and testosterone levels. Also high in omega-3, they advocate happiness, so explore the option of breaking out the shells this Valentine's Day.

Bacon

Rather unorthodox, bacon, sweet, salty and smoky evokes pleasure sensations with its fused taste. You can incorporate heart-shaped bacon for breakfast, or utilise these two recipes below:

Smoky Spicy Bacon Brittle

Ingredients:

1/2lb Caribbean Passion bacon, diced

1/2cup sugar

2tbs butter

1tbs vanilla

1/2 Scotch bonnet pepper without seeds, diced

1 tbs cinnamon powder

Method:

1. On your counter, place a large piece of parchment paper and liberally oil it.

2. In a medium skillet over medium heat, saute the pepper then add the bacon and cook until crisp.

3. Remove the bacon from the pan and discard the rendered bacon fat.

4. In a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, add the sugar and stir until it melts. Before it gets fully melted, it will crystallise. This is normal, so don't worry.

5. Once the sugar has melted and is a dark amber in colour, remove from the heat and stir in the bacon.

6. Carefully stir in the butter, cinnamon and vanilla.

7. Pour the mixture on to the prepared piece of parchment paper and spread it out thin with an oiled spatula.

8. Once the mixture has hardened (about 40 minutes), break it apart and enjoy!

Serves 2

Bacon S'mores

Ingredients:

4 strips of Caribbean Passion bacon

6 pieces marshmallows

2 Graham crackers (cut in halves)

2 Dark chocolate bars

Method:

1. Render bacon on a tray in oven until crispy and set to rest.

2. Skewer the marshmallows and toast over open flame.

3. Sandwich bacon, chocolate, and marshmallow between Graham cracker halves to make your Bacon S'more.

4. Enjoy!

Serves 2

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com