40 lic courier february 2013 • www.queenscourier.com MAMMA GIANNA Love drunk February 14 is the day Cupid unloads his love-drunk arrows. And what are you going to do about it? Spice up your cooking with some aphrodisiacs! Yeah, I said it. Create a Valentine’s Day menu with these foods and recipes for your sweetie to get the magic going. • Alcohol lowers inhibitions and increases confidence. However, overindulgence has a sedative effect not conducive to a romantic tryst and should be used at your discretion. • Avocados’ aphrodisiac reputation comes from their sensuous, pear shape and their deep, rich flavor. Put your avocado on top of the salad, pureed in soup or stirred into a bowl of fresh guacamole. • Basil. I’m Italian so I really like basil, but when it comes increasing desire, I never thought of keeping a shaker in the bedroom. In Ancient Rome, basil was considered a “symbol of love,” because it increases blood circulation to all parts of your body. • Champagne is most often viewed as the “drink of love.” Moderate quantities lower inhibitions and cause a warm glow in the body. Champagne’s signature bubbles help move the alcohol into the bloodstream faster than still wine. But remember not to overdo it or you’ll be snoozing instead of playing. • Chili peppers are an invigorating spice with an exotic reputation because they stimulate endorphins. No wonder this spicy vegetable is considered a symbol of love. • Chocolate contains both a sedative which relaxes and lowers your inhibitions and a stimulant to increase activity and the desire for physical contact. It was banned from early monasteries for this reason even though chocolate boosts serotonin levels, releases endorphins and dopamine throughout your system. Dopamine is released when you have feelings of immense pleasure or euphoria. And we all know we like that part. • Figs were used by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to hide their nakedness, so this coy fruit paradoxically symbolizes both sexuality and modesty. • Honey. Does the phrase “the birds and bees” ring a bell? Honey is made through pollination and is a symbol of procreation. It is known as “The Nectar of Aphrodite” because it is rich in B vitamins and boasts of a unique history. For centuries in Europe, the alcoholic beverage derived from honey, Mead, was supplied to newlyweds. It is said that this practice is where the term “honeymoon” gets its name. • Lavender is a powerful aromatic stimulant that can increase arousal in men. Lavender may also raise serotonin levels. Try some lavender gelato before your big night out. • Oysters. Some oysters repeatedly change their sex from male to female and back, giving rise to claims that the oyster lets one experience both the masculine and feminine sides of love. • Papayas are the number one aphrodisiac, mostly because of the body part they resemble. Also because of the papayas’ vitamins and nutrients. I know I am preparing my Valentine’s Day menu at Rustica by incorporating all of these lovely textures, exotics flavors and scents. If you can’t come out to eat and are planning to cook dinner in, take the time to search for recipes that will allow you to mix many of these ingredients into your night. Set your table with rose petals and put honey in a jar with two spoons for no reason. Lay out papayas, nuts and raspberries to nibble on in between courses. I think that I’ve given you a good place to start. The rest is up to you. Love, Peace, Figs, Papayas and Baby Booms, Mamma Gianna
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