Three aphrodisiac recipes to put you in the mood for love

You can thank the vitamins and antioxidants later

Not sure what to whip up for an at-home date with your boo this Valentine’s Day? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

These three vegetarian recipes look refined and taste great. Plus, they all have a naughty secret… They’re made with aphrodisiacs, which makes them the perfect libido-boosting treats to snack on during the most romantic day of the year!

Balsamic Fig Toast

Figs have been recommended as a natural aphrodisiac for centuries, possibly because of their connection to the biblical story of Adam and Eve. According to HuffPost, science has shown that the high concentration of antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols found in figs can lead to feelings of relaxation and well-being when consumed. Regularly snacking on figs can therefore improve your sex life by helping you fight off stress, the number-one libido killer.

This Mediterranean-inspired recipe combines sweet figs with savoury goat cheese and peppery arugula to create a snack that tastes even better than it looks. Pull a couple of these fancy bad boys out during a picnic date and your crush will be so impressed that they’ll instantly fall in love with you (probably).

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of sourdough bread
• 2 figs, thinly sliced
• 1⁄3 cup goat cheese
• 1⁄4 cup arugula
• 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 4 tsp olive oil
• 1 sprig fresh basil
• Salt and pepper

Steps:

1. Toast the bread slices to your personal taste. Drizzle them with about 1 tsp olive oil each.
2. Spread the goat cheese evenly over both slices of bread. The easiest way to do this is by crumbling the cheese over the top and pressing it down into the bread with the backside of a spoon.
3. Arrange the arugula and fig slices over the goat cheese.
4. Strip the basil leaves from their stem and finely chop them. Sprinkle the chopped basil over the top.
5. Drizzle the toast with balsamic vinegar and the remaining 2 tsp of olive oil.
6. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste.
7. Enjoy!

Oven Roasted Asparagus with Walnut Crema

Adapted from A16: Food and Wine by Nate Appleman and Shelley Lindgren

I know, I know—asparagus isn’t exactly the first thing that jumps to mind when trying to think of a sexy food. However, asparagus actually contains a number of chemicals found to stimulate sex hormone production. The vegetable is also chock-full of vitamin E, which can improve blood and oxygen flow to the…um, you know.

This recipe tries its best to make asparagus sexy by incorporating more refined flavours like walnut and balsamic. The end result is a delicious (and healthy!) side dish perfect for pairing with your favourite entrée.

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of asparagus (about 10-15 spears)
• 1⁄2 cup walnuts
• 1⁄4 cup diced red onion
• 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese
• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Steps:

To make the crema:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the walnuts and blanch for about 10 minutes (Blanching the walnuts removes their bitter flavour).
2. Drain the walnuts and set aside.
3. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat.
4. Add the diced onion to the pan and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, or until the onion is golden brown and fragrant.
5. In a food processor, blend the sautéed onion, the walnuts, 1 tbsp water, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Gradually add 3 tbsp olive oil as the food processor runs. Blend until smooth.

To make the asparagus:

1. Preheat your oven to 500 F.
2. Lightly coat a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil.
3. Spread the asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet. Drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle a pinch of salt evenly over them.
4. Roast the asparagus for 8 minutes, until they are tender when pierced with a fork.

To serve:

1. Evenly spoon the crema across the bottom of a serving plate.
2. Arrange the asparagus spears on top.
3. Sprinkle parmesan cheese and drizzle about 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar over the top.
4. Serve immediately, preferably while the asparagus is still warm.

Chili Chocolate Truffles

Adapted from “Hot Chili Pepper Truffles” by Sue from The View from Great Island

Chocolate has been associated with romance since the time of the Aztecs, and today it is one of the most commonly exchanged gifts between lovers. This makes sense given that the treat contains the chemicals tryptophan and phenylethylamine, both of which help to stimulate feelings of happiness and arousal in the brain.

These truffles combine the mood-boosting effects of chocolate with the endorphin kick given by hot chili peppers to create a delicious treat guaranteed to spice up your life in more ways than one.

Ingredients:

• 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
• 1⁄4 tsp cayenne chili pepper
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1⁄4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder for rolling

Steps:

1. Put the cocoa powder into a shallow bowl or onto a plate.
2. Heat the heavy cream until it comes to a simmer. You can do this in a saucepan on the stove, or in a heat-safe bowl in the microwave.
3. Add the chocolate chips and chili powder directly into the hot cream. Let sit for about 5 minutes, until the chocolate is melted. If the chocolate does not melt properly, heat it for 15 seconds in the microwave.
4. Stir the mixture until it is smooth.
5. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. It should harden enough to be scoopable with a spoon.
6. Using a melon baller or spoon, scoop up a small amount of the mixture.
7. Roll it between your hands until it is a smooth ball.
8. Roll it in the cocoa powder until it is evenly coated. Voilà—you now have a truffle!
9. Repeat this process for the remainder of the truffles and store them in the refrigerator when you are finished. Can be served chilled or at room temperature.

 

A version of this article appeared in print in The Ontarion issue 192.2 on Jan. 27, 2022.

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