Hoping to escape the spaghetti-and-meatballs “Lady-and-the-Tramp” scene on your special date? Here are 10 African recipes with aphrodisiac ingredients that are sure to impress your sweetheart.
African Almond Chicken
According to FlorfulFork.com, the scent of almonds can help arouse women. This African almond chicken recipe from Libya found on Food.com is easy to make, and since it’s light, it’s great for after-dinner activities. The almond gives a nice sweetness to the sauce, too.
Chocolate Beer Pudding Cake
A natural source of serotonin, chocolate will instantly relax you and help put you in the mood, plus the caffeine keeps you active, according to ScienceChannel.com. This treat from AfriChef.com is so sweet you’ll want to feed it to each other. And if you want to put aside some of the delicious cocoa beer syrup, you can always bring some into the bedroom.
African Garlic Cayenne Calamari
Believe it or not, calamari can spice up your love life, says Garlic-Central.com. This calamari recipe from All-Fish-Seafood-Recipes.com is a great romantic food to share because it’s a finger food. The Nigerian fried red pepper sauce used for dipping is bursting in flavors.
North African Eggs
The vitamins B5 and B6 in eggs help induce relaxation, says LovingYou.com. And since you’ll need a little energy, this is the perfect after-V-day breakfast recipe, from FromAcrossTheKitchenTableBlog.blogspot.com. It’s a sexy, spicy spin on sunny-side-up eggs, and it’s just visually stunning with the spring onion and red chilli.
West African Smoky Hot Oyster Bites
Oysters are packed with zinc which boost testosterone production. One Rd.com article reports that this fishy little food actually promotes several sexual hormones. Another recipe from All-Fish-Seafood-Recipes.com, this dish is a fun, playful appetizer or entrée. It’s hearty because of the tomato paste, but zesty and fresh tasting from the white vinegar and thyme.
Spicy Pork-Meatball Pitas with Harissa Mayo and Sweet Potato Wedges
According to WomansDay.com, eating chili peppers can produce effects that mimic sexual arousal, putting you more in the mood. This recipe from DeliciousMagazine.co.uk uses the famous African harissa spice in a fun, build-it-yourself sort of dish. We love the way the harissa mayo compliments the meatballs by sweetening them up, and the potato wedges by adding a little spice.
African Honey Bread
Honey produces sexual hormones in men and women, according to Benefits-of-Honey.com. This great light dessert bread from KeyIngredient.com won’t weigh you down after dinner (the last thing you want on Valentines Day). It goes well with fruit and whipped cream. Because of its high carb load, honey is a great source of unprocessed sugar energy, reports WellBeingSecrets.
South Africa’s West Coast Pomegranate and Peppercorn Salad
Consuming pomegranate juice can increase testosterone production in men, and induce relaxation and positive feelings in both men and women, says a study cited on InfoDrinks.com. This recipe from TheCulinaryLinguist.wordpress.com is beautiful, light and dynamic in flavors. Try it instead of a Caesar salad as your starter dish.
Creamy Paleo African Blue Basil Pesto
Basil has long been recognized as an aphrodisiac throughout Europe, and recent studies show it has libido-boosting effects, according to EatSomethingSexy.com. This recipe from SomethingGreenBlog.wordpress.com uses sweet African blue basil and a little arugula for a unique pesto sauce. Put it on a big plate of spaghetti to slurp up with your honey.
White Asparagus Soup
Yahoo.com tells us that, according to European legend, 19th-century grooms used to eat asparagus on the night of their honeymoon to boost libido. This recipe from AfricaAlbidaTourism.com is wonderfully flavorful from the fennel, chicken stock and lemon, but is also hearty with prawns and spaghetti.