The Perfect Four-Course Meal of Aphrodisiacs for Valentine's Day
By Clifford A. Wright
Valentine's Day, a day celebrating love and affection between intimate companions is an opportunity for the gastronomically or romantically inclined, or both, to explore the aphrodisiac quality of foods. In the olden days, the idea that certain foods had aphrodisiac qualities was much more popular than today. Today, there's too much science telling us it's hogwash. But love is like religion; it requires faith, not reason. And making believe certain foods are aphrodisiacs is plain fun and does no harm to your reputation as a great lover.
So for a Valentine's Day menu, consider a meal that doesn't have to be about the art of seduction, though that's a nice way to think. And remember, both men and women seduce and are seduced. Remember to keep portions very small.
ANTIPASTO COURSE: Seduction
The place to start is an appetizer of raw oysters or a plate of asparagi alla Cupido, asparagus steamed with a sauce of tuna and caper foam. The Greeks, who considered asparagus an aphrodisiac, recommended that it be eaten in moderation. For your romantic evening, it is a light and refined dish best accompanied by a dry white wine and with Debussy's "Claire de Lune" played in the background. However, raw oysters on the half shell are impossible to resist and their resemblance to the maidenhead is noted by great lovers.
Related:
>> What are the best wines to serve with oysters?
>> Where do the best American oysters come from?
>> How do you shuck an oyster?
The oyster or the asparagus should be followed by a small salad, a lovers' salad, an insalata degli innamorati of avocado stuffed with shrimp, celery and walnuts with pink mayonnaise. This delicious salad is easy and fast, able to be made in anticipation. Your romantic tête à tête can be had over this dish with some sparkling wine or rosé, and of course you will use one spoon and one-half avocado for the both of you.
The next course should be extravagant, but remember we are talking about your lover not your accountant. Foie gras de canard poêlé aux raisins blancs, pan-seared raw fois gras with green grapes is a dish you will both remember. You will not need much.
FIRST COURSE: Macaroni
A romantic dinner without macaroni is unthinkable. What better preparation than a dish we can name after the iconic lover Casanova -- maccheroni alla Casanova. This dish is made with bucatini seasoned with aromatics such as anchovies, tomato, black olives and red chile flakes. Keep in mind Casanova's preference for spicy foods. A normal primo portion of macaroni would be 4 ounces. Here you should use less.
MAIN COURSE: Seared Muscovy duck breast
The main course should not seem main, so again use sensibility in your portions. The seared Muscovy duck breast with Marsala orange sauce with red currants is made by sautéing shallots first in olive oil and butter then searing the duck and finishing it with duck glaze, fresh orange juice, sage, Marsala wine and fresh red currants, garnished with orange zest.
DESSERT COURSE: Romance in chocolate
The smallest portion of Roquefort and apples should be served following the duck and finally, before retiring, a chocolate.
If you take less than three hours to eat or you feel full, you are going too fast and eating too much. Remember, for Valentine's Day you are inspired by Casanova, not an American teenager.
Clifford A. Wright won the James Beard / KitchenAid Cookbook of the Year award and the James Beard Award for the Best Writing on Food in 2000 for "A Mediterranean Feast."
Also fresh on Zester Daily:
Looking for more romantic dishes for your Valentine's Day dinner?
>> Try some sustainable caviar.
>> Join the red velvet cake renaissance.
