Valentine's Day Seductive Aphrodisiac Recipes; Zesty Ginger Carrot Soup for Two

From Valentine's Day dinners to special anniversary dinners, these romantic recipes and sexy menu ideas I've put together for you will enhance your lover's appetite, these aphrodisiac foods will help set the mood for love.

Valentine's Day Dinner- Zesty Ginger Carrot Soup for Two
With the main ingredients of this luscious soup acting as aphrodisiacs, such as; carrots, ginger, orange zest, and spices such as; nutmeg and cayenne-- it's seductive powers are stacked to the ceiling, and will send any lover into fluttering heart palpitations with just one bite.
The aphrodisiac powers of ginger are backed by philosophy and scientific medical fact, but it has also gained a reputation through various myths and legends as well. ­People have deemed ginger root an aphrodisiac for centuries because of its scent and because it stimulates the circulatory system. And carrots have been associated with being aphrodisiacs that promote sexual stimulation since ancient times and ere used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid seduction. Cayenne pepper generates actual physiological responses in our bodies such as; sweating, increased heart rate and circulation, very similar to those experienced when having sex. The capsaicin that peppers contain is responsible for the effects and is also a good pain reliever. And long ago, Tibetan monks were not allowed to enter the monastery if they had been eating garlic because of its reputation for stirring up passions. Garlic increases circulation so that's another aphrodisiac. In ancient China, women prized nutmeg an aphrodisiac, (researchers have found it to increase mating behaviors in mice). In quantity, nutmeg can produce a hallucinogenic effect. And as for oranges being aphrodisiacs, they say foods high in vitamin C don't just fight colds, they also may prompt a tumble or two. That's because vitamin C ups your body's levels of oxytocin, a hormone that encourages you to bond in the most straightforward way we humans know - by cuddling.

Zesty Ginger Carrot Soup for Two
Ingredients:
6 med. carrots
¼ large sweet vidalia onion
1 tbl olive oil
1 tbl smart balance
1 short TBL roasted garlic minced
2 TBL fresh grated ginger root
½ TBL fresh grated orange zest
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp white pepper
¼ - ½ tsp. cayenne pepper (depending on how much of a bite you want)
1 tsp salt
1 ½ cups chicken broth
1 -1/2 cups half & half or heavy cream
*parsley for garnish (optional)
*sour cream for garnish (optional)
Directions:
In a large pot, over medium high heat, add olive oil butter and onions and cook, stirring often, until onions are limp. Add chopped carrots, spices, garlic, zest and ginger. Let the flavors open up in the oils for a couple minutes. Then add broth. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until carrots are tender when pierced.
Remove from heat and transfer to a food processor or blender. Don't fill the processor or blender more than half way, do it in batches if you have to. Cover the processor or blender by holding a kitchen towel over the top of the blender*. Be careful when blending hot liquids as the mixture can spurt out of the blender. Pulse the processor or blender to start it and then puree until smooth. Return to the pan and add cream, stir over high heat until hot. For a smoother flavor bring soup to a boil, add salt and pepper, to taste.
Ladle into bowls and garnish with dollop sour cream and parsley sprigs.
Note from *When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

Valentine's Day Dinner; "Seductive Appetizer" - try butter poached maine lobster with vanilla crepes - from SeductionMeals.com

Valentine's Day Dinner; "Sexy Main Course" try this pure seduction with Steak Diane Steak Diane is the perfect choice for the meat lover in your life. With a luscious brandy tinted cream sauce and grilled mushrooms sauteed with a mix of seductive flavoring--this dish is sure to make hearts flutter. You can use any cut of steak--I prefer filet mignon, which was used in this recipe, or rib eye. Serve with your favorite bottle of red wine.
Steak Diane for two - This recipe comes from the always charming, master chef Emeril (with a few adjustments).

Valentine's Day Dinner; "Dessert!" The best part of your Valentine's Day dinner...if this doesn't get your lover all hot and bothered, I don't know what will...
Strawberries & Chocolate Fondue
Sure, strawberries are red, plump, and adorable; plus they taste divine, and are pretty sexy-looking without anything added, but add chocolate, and walla! You have yourself a perfect Valentine's dessert. But on top of that, strawberries contain antioxidants and improve circulation, which up your chances of having a hot- blooded encounter.

Chocolate is always on the menu for Valentine's Day and for good reason. It has forever been associated with love and romance. It was originally found in the South American rainforests. The Mayan civilizations worshipped the Cacao tree and called it "food of the gods." Rumor has it that the Aztec ruler Montezuma drank 50 goblets of chocolate each day to enhance his sexual abilities. Scientific researchers have studied chocolate and found it has serotonin and phenylethylamine, which are both "feel good" chemicals. They occur naturally in our bodies and are released by our brains when we are happy or feeling loving or passionate. It produces a euphoric feeling, like when you're in love.
Chocolate Fondue Recipe:
6 ounces (170 grams) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream (contains 35-40% butterfat)
1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
2 1/2 tablespoons (35 grams) granulated white sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup Nutella (optional)
1 tablespoon liqueur (such as Frangelico, Grand Marnier, Kahlua , Tia Maria, Amaretto, or a brandy) (optional). See how to make your own Kahlua here.
Directions
Place the chopped chocolate in a medium sized stainless steel bowl and set aside.
Combine the cream, milk, sugar, and corn syrup in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring often.
Remove from heat and pour immediately over the chocolate. Let stand until the chocolate has melted, then whisk until smooth.
Whisk in vanilla extract, Nutella (if using), and the liqueur (if using).
Place the chocolate sauce in a fondue pot and serve with fresh fruits, chunks of pound, butter, sponge, or angel food cake and cookies (amaretti, ladyfingers, rolled wafer cookies, or biscotti). Reheat the sauce if it becomes too thick. Makes about 1 1/2 cups. A Chocolate Fondue is a leisurely way to end a meal as everyone gathers around a pot of warm chocolate sauce and dips skewered pieces of fruit, cake, and/or cookies into the sauce. Stemmed cherries are particularly well suited for dipping as are strawberries, pieces of cantaloupe, figs, honeydew, kiwi, pineapple, bananas, pears, oranges, and even slices of apple. Chunks of pound cake are lovely when smothered in a warm chocolate sauce, as are butter cake, angel food, or even sponge cake. It is also nice to have some cookies available - like amaretti, ladyfingers, rolled wafer cookies, and even chunks of biscotti.
Chocolate is the most important part so make sure it's good chocolate;.Some of my favorites are Scharffen Berger, Guittard, and Callebaut, and Valrhona. Now, while a small fondue pot looks lovely, it isn't necessary. You can just heat the sauce beforehand in a small saucepan and then transfer it to a pretty bowl. Reheat the sauce as necessary.

So, proceed with caution and enjoy these recipes. I hope they bring you lots of lovin' on your special Valentine's Day dinner, or Anniversary.

Sources:
http://nepspeed82.blogspot.com/2006/11/ginger-aphrodisiac.html
foods that act as aphrodisiacs; http://health.howstuffworks.com/sexual-health/sexuality/aphrodisiac3.htm
Wikipedia | Ginger
SexHerald.com | Ginger Potion-http://www.sexherald.com/aphrodisiacs-improve-libido/ginger_potion.html
Read more: http://www.joyofbaking.com/ChocolateFondue.html#ixzz1B0glZkIf
See how to make your own Kahlua here. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5804876/baileys_and_kahlua_recipes_and_howto.html?cat=22

Tagged as: ginger, aphrodisiac, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day foods, Valentine's recipes