There are a ton of foods considered aphrodisiacs, and some of the most potent are staples in a Latin kitchen. Here are five ingredients you can use to make a delicious meal for your honey on Valentine’s Day. But beware, we can’t promise you’ll be safe after your man gobbles all this grub. You may have to fight him off…not that anyone’s complaining here.
Avocado: The Aztecs literally named this delicious Latin staple ahuacuatl, or "testicle tree," and we can’t blame them. Have you ever seen this delicious fruit hanging on the trees? Spanish Catholic priests found the avocado so sexually explicit that they banned it, making it all the more desirable!
Bananas: Besides the phallic shape of bananas, this fruit contains the bromeliad enzyme, said to enhance the male libido.
Chocolate: The Aztecs must have been busy getting busy back in the day because another staple of their diet, chocolate, has the "love chemical," (phenylethylamine) which releases chemicals triggering sensations of pleasure in the brain and peaks during orgasm. The Aztecs knowingly referred to chocolate "nourishment of the Gods".
Oysters: Probably the most famous of all aphrodisiacs, oysters have high zinc content, which helps produce sperm and increases libido.
Cayenne Pepper: Capsaicin, a chemical found in fiery peppers, increases circulation to get blood pumping and stimulates nerve endings, making you hot in more way than one.
Valentine’s Day Menu:
Banana & Avocado Dip with Plantain Chips * (From marthastewart.com)*
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 cups canola oil
- 2 green plantains, peeled, very thinly sliced
- Coarse salt
- 1 very ripe banana
- 1 small ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Directions
- Place oil in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Attach a deep-fry thermometer to side of pan, and heat oil to 380 degrees. Carefully drop plantain slices into oil one at a time. Cook in batches until golden brown. Transfer to paper towels with a slotted spoon; let drain while finishing batches. (Adjust heat to keep temperature constant, if necessary, during cooking.) Sprinkle with salt; set aside.
- Make dip: Place banana, avocado, and lemon juice in bowl; mash with fork. Season with salt; serve with plantain chips.
__Oyster Stew with Chimichurri
__(From grouprecipes.com)
Ingredients
For Oyster Stew
- 2 quart heavy cream
- 1/2 quart whole milk
- 8 ounces clam juice
- 1 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1/2 tablespoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For Chimichurri
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot
- 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 jalapeno, seeded
Finish with
- 8 dozen Shucked oysters
- 3 tablespoons butter
Directions
- Place all ingredients for oyster stew in a stockpot and bring to a boil.
- Place ingredients for chimichurri in the blender and blend on low until will pureed.
- Just before serving, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Add 12 shucked oysters to butter and slowly simmer while stirring until the edges just begin to curl. Immediately remove from heat.
- Serve stew in bowls and add oysters. Top with chimichurri.
End the night with our own Mamas Latinas original recipe: Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes for Dessert!
What is your favorite Valentine's Day meal?
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