February 14, 2011 8:05 am

Dish of the Day: Valentine's Day Aphrodisiacs

In the days before Viagra and supplemental enhancers, people had to seek other alternatives for aphrodisiacs. The alternatives they found to be most effective were in food. The word aphrodisiac comes from the beautiful Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love and sex. From before the time of Cleopatra, people have eaten aphrodisiac rich foods to enhance their sexual stamina. Today we know that certain foods such as dark chocolate, avocados, oysters, red wine, and strawberries actually release chemicals in the body that can affect our hormones and energy, directly impacting our libido. This Valentine's Day, instead of eating a heavy meal that makes you just curl up and go to sleep, choose foods that will make your night more exciting and last longer.

Avocados, named by the Spanish conquistadors who could not pronounce the Aztec word "ahuacaleâ" not only loved the taste of this fruit, but also noticed peaks of sexual desire when it came to the Native Aztecs. In fact Montezuma, the Aztec king, had a form of guacamole prepared for him every night.

It's no coincidence that people give chocolate for Valentine's Day, but just make sure it's dark chocolate. Dark chocolate contains serotonin that lowers stress and releases phenlethylamine, responsible for changing blood pressure and blood-sugar levels that result in making people very excited.

Strawberries make the aphrodisiac list not only because they look like little red hearts, but because people used to think that all the seeds represented fertility. In truth, the vitamins and minerals aid in increasing your immune system keeping your inner fire burning.

Oysters are a romantic dinner option for a reason. They are loaded with zinc, which does wonders for the male libido, not to mention fertility (be careful with this one).

Red Wine can pair perfectly with your Valentine's Day meal and is more than just good for your heart; it can also relax your inhibitions. Keep in mind that all alcohol can do this, so make sure you don't end up getting sloppy by drinking too much.

Photo credit: smarter.com

— Written by Valerie Cario

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Tags : aphrodisiacs, Aphrodite, avocado, red wine, dark chocolate, oysters

December 13, 2010 10:34 am

Pairing of the Day: Paumanok Chenin Blanc and Oysters

Instead of making oyster stuffing or oysters Rockefeller this year for your holiday parties, make the planning easy on yourself and try oysters at their finest: raw on the half-shell. Not only are seafood platters are sure to impress, but they require minimal prep work— just a few dipping sauces and you're good to go.

Our pairing of the day is a classic: Chenin Blanc with oysters. Winemaker Kareem Massoud of Paumanok Vineyards, located on the North Fork of Long Island, makes one of the best Chenin Blancs we've tasted in a long time. Bright, racy and clean, this wine is full of crisp grapefruit and pineapple flavors that complement the briny oysters perfectly.

Tip: It's said that oysters are best during winter months ending in "er."

Photo credit: Paumanok Vineyards

— Written by Lisa Curry

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Tags : Chenin Blanc, Oysters, Paumanok, Kareem Massoud, Lisa Curry, North Fork, Long Island