On Valentine’s Day, everyone has fluttery words about hearts and red, red roses. But what really wins undying devotion is the perfect meal, balanced from one end to the other by purely aphrodisiacal components — and seductive flavors.
Most Cupids know something about aphrodisiacs, a word derived from the Greek Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Elusive elements in food that legend says can stoke the fires of love, aphrodisiacs may or may not work, but since no scientific research categorically disproves their potency, why not hedge your bets and set the mood?
Crispy oysters on garlic baguette with fig preserves
If you can, select oysters in the shell and ask the fishmonger to shuck them for you. Not all markets sell fresh oysters, so you may need to buy raw oysters packed in jars in their own liquid.
1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 tsp. Cajun or Creole seasoning
1/2 cup buttermilk
4 raw oysters, shucked
1 tsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp. butter
8 arugula leaves
4 garlic-flavored toasted baguette rounds
Fig preserves to cover rounds
Combine the breadcrumbs and cornmeal in a small bowl, and stir in the seasoning. Pour the buttermilk into a separate bowl. Dunk the oysters in milk, then toss them in the breadcrumb mixture to coat well.
Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the mixture is sizzling, sauté the oysters until golden and crunchy on both sides, about 3 minutes total.
Arrange arugula leaves on a serving plate. Spread about 1 teaspoon fig preserve on each round, place them on the arugula leaves, and top each with an oyster.
Bacon-wrapped filet mignon with lime-sprinkled avocado
Olive oil for brushing
One 6-ounce bacon-wrapped filet mignon or tenderloin
1/2 ripe avocado, peeled and diced
Lime juice for sprinkling
Salt and black pepper to taste
Preheat broiler or a nonstick skillet. Set the steak on a broiler pan or in the skillet, and brush lightly with olive oil. Cook until desired doneness, making sure that the bacon cooks through.
Meanwhile, toss the diced avocado with lime juice, salt and pepper. When the steak is ready to serve, spoon this mixture on top.
Chocolate-crunch heart cupcakes
You may use 3-inch muffin molds or decorative heart-shaped foil molds.
8 oz. unsweetened chocolate squares
1/2 lb. (2 sticks) unsalted butter
4 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup cake flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cocoa powder, optional
Pinch salt
1 cup Heath toffee bits
Raspberry jam to taste
Chocolate icing
4 squares semisweet chocolate
4 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. heavy
cream
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350. Spray nonstick muffin cups with cooking spray. Melt the chocolate and butter together over simmering, not boiling, water. When melted, cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture turns a pale lemon-yellow. Spoon the cooled chocolate mixture into the sugar-egg mixture and beat until well combined. Stir in the cake flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, cocoa powder and salt, and beat until well combined. Stir in the toffee bits. Spoon the mixture into the molds until each is about two-thirds full.
Bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before icing.
For icing, melt the chocolate and butter together over simmering, not boiling, water. When melted, remove from heat, and beat with electric beaters. Add the cream and extract, and while the mixture is still warm, spoon some chocolate icing onto the serving plate to make a chocolate pool, and rest a cupcake in the center. Spread some icing on top of the cupcake; ice remaining cupcakes as desired. After icing, put a dollop of raspberry jam on top, and serve.
Cupid, can you identify key aphrodisiacs?
Asparagus: Member of lily family and an erotic vegetable with turn-on aroma
Arugula: Considered a libido enhancer since the first century
Avocado: Its shape and smooth texture may stimulate desire
Beef: Protein and an energy spark?
Chocolate: Aztecs believed cocoa revved desire
Figs: Ancient Greeks, today’s Italians and others consider them sexy
Garlic: A general cure-all, itmay heat up ailing libidos
Oysters: Zinc-rich oysters were a favorite of famed lover Casanova
Pine nuts: Romans and Arabs favored these zinc-rich nuts to stimulate
Raspberries: Vitamin C-rich berries may help correct impotence
