With the most romantic day of the year rapidly approaching, we’ve been looking into the aphrodisiac qualities of some of our favourite everyday foods. Did you know that salmon is a great source of stamina? Or that chilli releases endorphins? And avocados boost the libido?
To celebrate their wide range of gifts and dine-in offers for Valentine’s Day, we’ve teamed up with Tesco to bring you five mouth-watering recipes packed full of aphrodisiacs. Check them out below.
Salmon with coriander salsa
An excellent source of protein – essential for stamina – salmon is also loaded with omega 3’s, proven to elevate serotonin levels in the brain and thereby enhance mood. Vitamin rich, this fish has got a great dose of A, D, B and calcium, all known to be necessary for giving the all-important libido lift. The unique citric smell is central to coriander’s aphrodisiac qualities. Coriander is used in most commercial perfumes, the oldest man-made aphrodisiac.
Serves 2; 45 mins to prepare and 12 mins to cook; 490 calories per serving
Ingredients
- 2 salmon steaks or fillets, around 200g
- 50ml soy sauce
- 1 stalk finely-chopped lemongrass or 1tsp grated lemon zest
- 1/4tsp harissa
- 1tsp ground ginger
- 1/2tsp fresh coriander
- 1tbsp honey
For the coriander salsa
- 1-2 red chilli(es), de-seeded
- 3 spring onions
- small handful fresh coriander leaves
Recipe:
- Mix together soy sauce, lemongrass, harissa, ginger and coriander stalks, pour the marinade over the salmon and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
- Place the salmon on a baking sheet, drizzle with honey and bake it for around 12 mins at gas 6-7, 200-220°C, fan 180-200°C.
- For the salsa, chop the chillies, finely chop the spring onions and mix with coriander leaves.
- Drizzle the salmon with salsa and serve with rice or noodles
Caramelised onion and goat’s cheese filo tart
Fresh cheeses like young goats cheese are reported to contain more than ten times as much phenylethylamine (PEA) as cocoa. PEA is responsible for the release of endorphins. Like other protein-rich foods, cheese also promotes dopamine production.
Serves 6-8; 20 mins to prepare and 1 hour to cook; 301 calories per serving
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 onions, finely sliced
- 250g (8oz) filo pastry
- 100g (3 1/2oz) butter, melted
- 150g (5oz) goat’s cheese
- 1 tbsp thyme leaves
Recipe:
- In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil on very low and add the onion, mix well and then cook for 45 minutes until the onions are soft and starting to colour. When the onions are nearly done, melt the butter in another small pan and preheat the oven to gas 5,180°C/160° fan.
- Unwrap the filo pastry but keep it covered with cling film or a tea towel to stop the pastry from drying and cracking. On a large baking tray, add one piece of filo pastry at a time, using a pastry brush to cover each piece with some of the melted butter.
- Keep layering until you have used all the pastry, finish with a final coating of butter. Now spread it with the onions, leaving a small border. Top with the goat’s cheese, torn into small pieces and scatter over the thyme leaves.
- Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the filo pastry is golden and crisp. Serve immediately in large pieces.
Avocado crunch salad
Avocado contains high levels of folic acid which helps metabolise protein, B6 and potassium. This can increase testosterone production which contributes to sexual function, mood and libido.
Serves 8; 20 mins to prepare; 195 calories per serving
Ingredients:
- 1 small garlic clove, crushed
- 200ml (7fl oz) buttermilk
- 3tbsp mayonnaise
- bunch chives, snipped
- 1 lemon, juiced
For the salad
- 4 ripe avocados
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 iceberg lettuce (or about 4 little gems), chilled
- 100g mixed rocket, spinach and watercress
Recipe:
- For the dressing, mix the crushed garlic, buttermilk and mayonnaise until smooth. Stir in the chives and season to taste, adding a little lemon juice if you like. The dressing can be made up to two days ahead and chilled – just give it a quick whisk before using.
- To serve, halve, stone, peel and slice the avocados and toss with lemon juice to prevent browning. Cut the iceberg or little gem lettuce into thin wedges. Scatter the lettuce, other salad leaves and avocado over a large serving dish. Drizzle with some dressing and serve the rest in a jug on the side.
Watermelon granita
Watermelon is high in citruline, a phytonutrient that has the power to relax blood vessels in a manner similar to Viagra. The citrulline in watermelon is found in highest concentration in the white part of the flesh.
Serves 6; 10 mins to prepare, 5 mins to cook and 2 hrs to cool; 185 calories per serving
Ingredients:
- 1Kg Watermelon
- 200g sugar
Recipe:
- Slice the watermelon and carefully remove the seeds and the rind. Put the fruit in a processor and whizz until it makes a smooth purée
- In a pan, dissolve the sugar into 200ml (7fl oz) of water, bring to the boil and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove and allow it to cool.
- When cooled thoroughly, mix the liquid with the watermelon purée and put in the freezer.
- Then mix every 15 minutes for 2 hours, and then every half an hour until the granita appears grainy and all the crystals have broken – it’ll look like snow or coarse sand
Chocolate and chilli pudding
Chocolate contains theobromine, (also known as xantheose) and phenylethylamine, a chemical which can help men and women feel enamoured. Chilli speeds up your heart rate and prompts the release of endorphins.
Serves 2; 15 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook
Ingredients:
- 70g 70% dark chocolate
- 100g low fat spread
- Pinch chilli flakes
- 3 eggs
- 50g plain flour
- 15g sweetener like Canderel or 150g sugar
Recipe:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) Gas 6.
- Add the chocolate, low fat spread and chilli flakes to a heat proof bowl then sit it over a pan of barely simmering water, stir until melted then remove from the heat and leave to cool for about 10 mins.
- Now add the sweetener and stir well so it all combines then add the eggs one at a time, stirring to incorporate each time then add the flour and stir again.
- Pour the mixture into oven proof pudding basins, moulds or ramekins and put in the oven to bake for about 10-12 minutes until the tops are firm but springy.
Don’t overcook them as you want the middle to remain gooey. Dust the top with Canderel and serve while hot with low fat creme fraiche.
To keep you in the mood after your aphrodisiac-packed meal, why not check out Tesco’s new Fifty Shades of Grey Valentine’s Day collection. Designed in collaboration with E.L. James, the seductive lingerie is now available exclusively at F-F.com and selected Tesco stores nationwide. For more information and to view the collection, click here.
