A feast of love  for St Valentine's Day!

Nothing can be more romantic than to share food with a loved one. Whether it is a picnic by the river or a fast food meal, if the magic of love is around the food will be transformed into something tasty and delicious beyond measure. Often the first sign that an encounter is turning into a romantic liaison is when a morsel of food is given to you in the hand of your loved one. Think about it: if you were offered a delicacy from the fingers of someone you didn’t like would you accept it with the same degree of pleasure? Yet, to be handed a tit-bit by someone you secretly admire may be the trigger which turns the relationship into a full-blown love affair. In any case, eating a meal with someone is a convenient way of getting to know them without your intent becoming too obvious. The seed begins to take root of sharing together; there is time to talk, and time to flirt.

They say that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and that may well be true. So, it should be no surprise that a seemingly innocent invitation to a meal may well have other agendas. It is likely that food or drink, by bringing on a change of mood, creates the bewitching feeling of being more sexual.

Folklore and old wives’ tales have always provided hints about the potent power of food on human sexual behaviour. The aphrodisiac qualities attributed to certain food and drink - although they are not guaranteed - should not be dismissed entirely. Casanova is reputed to have drunk copious amounts of chocolate before an amorous encounter. And so it is no surprise that chocolates have been used to seduce partners all over the world.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner what could be nicer than to plan a meal of seduction? Early preparation for the meal is all important as you do not want to be in and out of the kitchen completing last minute touches all evening. So keep the recipes simple and don’t try any dish you have not made before. Make certain the white wine or champagne is nicely cooling.

The setting is important too. Take time to get this right. Ensure that there is privacy and a degree of comfort. Turn off the telephone and your mobile, and make sure your lover has switched off his alarm or pager. Make a careful choice of background music. And married couples need romantic evenings too - so send the kids to grandma!

So what will your menu be? A dry martini is a good way to begin the evening. It is always in fashion, and seen as the most sophisticated of all cocktails.

For starters oysters or mussels may not be to your taste, but there are other suggestions. Asparagus is not only valued for its erotic shape, but is also widely acknowledged as an aphrodisiac, and so it is a good choice for inclusion somewhere in a meal for a lover.

If you plan a hefty meal, then a steak trimmed to the shape of a heart may do the trick and convey the message. But make sure the meal does not get too heavy because that would bring on a feeling of being satiated and so less inclined for the lure of romance afterwards. For this reason, don’t overdo the bread and butter either. Another suggestion could be a mousse, perhaps made from fish and avocados - both reputed to increase libido. This is a dish which one lover can feed to the other. And why not in bed?

For desert you can concentrate on fruit and nuts. A banana? Rich in vitamins and reputed to increase sex hormones. Studies show that it is probably the enzymes in this fruit which enhance male performance. The fig is accepted as the most erotic fruit of all. But, remember, the ancient Greeks saw it also as a sacred food associated with love and fertility. So take care here as fertility may not be in your mind!

So there you have it, a meal for when you have designs on another. Begin with asparagus or oysters, then a more leisurely pace through the main course, ending with a feast of pine nuts, figs and strawberries, washed down with copious drafts of champagne. And don’t forget the chocolates. Who knows which of these will work? But the meal will be a memorable experience, and whatever happens it should be fun to try.

© Jill Curtis 2004