10 Ingredients for Creating Romance

Yahoo Food
Updated

Esther Sung

Ten ingredients for creating romance

Lavender: Lavender has a storied past: The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used the aromatic herb not only medicinally but for cosmetic and beauty purposes. In ancient Rome, women kept sprays of lavender next to their beds as a way to arouse their mate’s senses.

Pomegranate: Some scholars believe that Eve tempted Adam not with an apple but with a pomegranate. Though we may never know for sure, it’s hard to deny the allure of those ruby red seeds. 

Oysters: Casanova, one of the world’s most famous womanizers, is said to have indulged in 50 oysters daily—and that was just for breakfast! Rich in zinc, they can help boost testosterone levels and libido. But lest you think eating oysters only works for men, it benefits women, too. See the recipe below!

SEE MORE: All You Need to Know About Oysters

Vanilla: Nothing’s too good for your sweetie, so splurge on whole vanilla beans. If you don’t want to scrape the pods, use vanilla bean paste which is more economical and just as tasty.

Ginger: This knotty rhizome increases blood flow and warms up the whole body—plus, it adds a touch of spice to foods both savory and sweet. 

Honey: Need a quick pick-me-up? Sticky, sweet, and sensuous, honey contains natural sugars that can give you a fast energy boost.

Chocolate: Falling in love is good for the heart, and so is dark chocolate. Full of antioxidants, this sweet treat is healthy in small amounts.

Figs: Visually, the fig’s status as eye candy is questionable: Does it represent the male or the female? But one bite into a ripe fig and there’s no question that this fruit is nature’s own candy.

SEE MORE: Romantic Movie-Themed Menus

Pine Nuts: Zinc is needed for male vigor and stamina so ply your man with plenty of pine nuts: According to NutritionData.com, one cup of pine nuts provides 58 percent of the recommended daily allowance. 

Garlic: Garlic can heat up the romance but if you think its flavor is too strong and sharp, cook it slowly to transform it into something heavenly and even a little sweet. 

OYSTERS WITH CHAMPAGNE-VINEGAR MIGNONETTE
In this elegant introduction to dinner, oysters are paired with Champagne grapes, whose sweet juice balances the sharpness of the vinegar in the mignonnette. 

Yield: Makes 2 first-course servings
Active time: 15 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients: 
For mignonnette

  • 2 teaspoons Champagne vinegar

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped shallot

  • Pinch of coarsely ground black pepper

  • Pinch of sugar

  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

For oysters

  • 1 1/2 cups kosher or other coarse salt

  • 1/2 dozen small oysters, such as Kumamoto or Prince Edward Island, shells scrubbed well and oysters left on the half shell, their liquor reserved and oysters picked over for shell fragments

  • 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces

  • 1 small cluster Champagne table grapes or 2 finely diced seedless red grapes


Preparation:

Make mignonnette: Stir together vinegar, shallot, pepper, and sugar and let stand 30 minutes.

Prepare oysters: Preheat broiler. Spread 3/4 cup salt in an 8- to 10-inch flameproof shallow baking dish or pan. Arrange oysters on their shells in salt, then top each with a piece of butter.

Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat until butter is melted and sizzling and edges of oysters are beginning to curl, 1 to 2 minutes.

Stir parsley into mignonnette. Divide remaining 3/4 cup salt between 2 plates and arrange 3 oysters on each. Spoon 1/4 teaspoon mignonnette over each oyster and sprinkle oysters with grapes. Serve warm.

See more from Epicurious:
A Recipe for Romance
Valentine’s Day Chocolate Gift Guide
Cocktail Recipes for Your Valentine