If you want to fix a romantic dinner for someone special, you could play it safe and just cook her favorite meal, or you could try an adventurous new recipe filled with romance-inducing aphrodisiacs. Certain foods, such as oysters and chocolate, increase chemicals in the body that make you feel relaxed, happy and just plain good, and may help stimulate warm feelings during your romantic dinner.
Shellfish
Mussels, clams and raw oysters can provide aphrodisiac benefits by increasing certain body chemicals associated with sexual arousal. According to findings published by biochemist George Fisher of Barry University in Miami, Florida, and Antimo D’Aniello and Raul Mirza, of the Laboratory of Neurobiology in Naples, Italy, these mollusks contain two amino acids that stimulate the production of estrogen in females and testosterone in males. According to the study authors, elevated levels of these sex hormones also indicate increased libido, which may come in handy after a romantic dinner.
Spicy Food
Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which increases endorphins, or "feel good" chemicals in the body, says naturopathic doctor Melody Hart, a practitioner at The Hart Center For Alternative Medicine in Geneva, Illinois. Capsaicin also increases circulation and heart rate, which causes physiological responses similar to those that occur during sex, says Hart. Most grocery stores stock both dried and fresh chili peppers, which you can finely dice up and add to many different dishes to turn up the heat.
Other Dishes
Try one of the recipes using natural aphrodisiacs created by master chef Curtis Stone, author and host of TLC’s TV series "Take Home Chef." Stone recommends using champagne, the "drink of love," to create champagne poached strawberries with mascarpone, or musky, flavorful truffles to cook a soup of green lentils and Tuscan cabbage with sage and truffle oil. Other romantic recipes that Curtis Stone recommends include apple and vanilla spring rolls and saffron rice with carrots, raisins and pine nuts.
Dessert
Extra dark chocolate contains the chemical phenylethylamine, which can simulate the feeling of being in love, says board certified dermatologist and best selling author Nicholas Perricone. Dark chocolate also increases endorphins in the body, says Perricone, which causes an overall good feeling, and pumps up the level of serotonin in the brain, which acts as an antidepressant.
Set The Scene
Create a romantic environment during which to enjoy your delicious. Turn down the lights, and serve your romantic dinner by candlelight. Add a vase of fresh cut flowers to the table to create a simple, attractive centerpiece with a pleasant aroma. Play soft, romantic music lightly in the background, but not so loud that you can't hear each other whisper sweet nothings other across the table.
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