The Food of Love

Today, I'm participating in the Blogfeast hosted by Jaded Love Junkies. Yes, I said feAst, not fest. Click HERE for more details. The concept was to make a "feast" of blog posts. And what better way to combine food and romance than talking about aphrodisiacs, the food of love.

We all know they exist, but many people don't realize how easy it is to find and use aphrodisiacs in every day life. These foods, taking their name from the Greek God of Love Aphrodite, are not potions found in dimly lit gypsy huts, but things you see and buy at your local grocery store.

There are a few different categories aphrodisiacs fall under. Some of these foods, like garlic, basil, and asparagus are known to increase blood flow and heart rate which generate feelings of excitement and anticipation. Others, such as hot chilies, pomegranates, and vanilla, stimulate nerve endings making every touch feel better. Still others have aromas that encourage arousal in both men and women. Additional common aphrodisiacs include almonds, bananas, honey, red wine, figs, strawberries, oysters (of course), and the king of them all, chocolate. 

Today, I'm going to provide you with the perfect recipe for a romantic (and arousing) evening at home. I'm using a recipe from "Intercourses: an aphrodisiac cookbook" by Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge. This cookbook has everything from appetizers to desserts and all their recipes include aphrodisiacs. A must have for anyone looking to spice up their love life and their dinner menu.

I've chosen to share their Spicy Gingered Shrimp:
Ingredients:
Juice and zest of 2 limes plus one lime cut into wedges for garnish
3 hot chili peppers seeded and sliced
1 stalk lemongrass outer leaves discarded and inner stalk thinly sliced
1 piece ginger grated (about 2 tablespoons)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoon cilantro chopped
1 pound jumbo shrimp cleaned

salt and pepper to taste

Combine lime juice, zest, chilies, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, honey, olive oil, and cilantro in a casserole dish large enough to accommodate skewers, mix well. Thread 4 shrimp to a skewer. Add skewers to marinade, turning several times to coat well. You can also marinate loose shrimp ina  large, resealable, plastic bag (I recommend this option). Refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour, turning once or twice while marinating. Prepare grill or broiler to medium high heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Grill or broil for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until just cooked through. Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges.

I hope you enjoy but remember, just because these foods are aphrodisiacs doesn't mean you can rely solely on them to get your engines running. Try combining these foods into foreplay. Sip champagne out of your loved ones belly button, or give them a chocolate massage for dessert and see where the evening takes you...