Carrot, Orange and Ginger Soup, courtesy of The Lavender House
Serves 6
500g carrots
50g fresh chopped root ginger
1 large onion
1 orange
100 ml orange juice
1 litre vegetable stock
15 ml olive oil
• Gently fry the sliced onions in the oil, but do not colour.
• Add the ginger and the peel and chopped carrot.
• Add the chopped whole orange.
• Add the orange juice and the vegetable stock.
• Simmer for 30 minutes.
• Whizz up in a food processor, and pass through a medium strainer.
• For added texture, top with a little grated carrot moistened with lemon juice and a little chopped parsley.
Champagne jelly with raspberries and mango with a pineapple sorbet, courtesy of Mackintosh's Canteen
Although raspberries are out of season in the winter, they are the nicest soft red fruit available and offer a lovely flavour when paired with champagne. The mango gives the dish a touch of colour.
375 ml champagne or sparkling wine
Three gelatine leaves
100grams caster sugar
One mango
150 grams of raspberries or strawberries or any soft red fruit you like
• To make the jelly put 75ml of the champagne into a saucepan with the sugar
• Place on a slow heat to dissolve the sugar
• Add the gelatine leaves (these will need soaking in cold water till soft), mix and put into a mixing bowl to cool
• When the mixture is cool, slowly add the remaining champagne stirring till well mixed, pour into glasses or moulds (to turn out onto a plate)
• Add some raspberries and small pieces of chopped mango to the jelly and allow to set for 8 hours till wobbly
• The jelly should be a little fizzy as well as sweet
• To serve, garnish with slices of mango, pineapple sorbet and some raspberry coulis
Stuffed mushrooms with Gruyere
This recipe will serve 4-6 people, or 2 really hungry people!
You will need:
4-6 large brown mushrooms
4 spring onions, chopped
100 ml fine fresh breadcrumbs
fresh rosemary
2 ml Worcester sauce
30 ml thick mayonnaise
salt and milled black pepper
grated Gruyère cheese
paprika
50 g butter
1 small clove garlic, crushed
• Remove mushroom stems and scoop out a little of the centre of each cap
• Chop stems and centres and mix with spring onions, breadcrumbs, rosemary, worcester sauce, mayonnaise and a pinch salt
• Oil a large baking sheet and place the mushrooms on it, hollow side up
• Season with salt and milled pepper
• Add the stuffing mixture to the mushrooms and sprinkle with Gruyère cheese and paprika
• Combine butter and garlic and put a bit on top of each mushroom
• Bake at 180°C for 20 minutes, then serve
A-z Z of Aphrodisiacs
Aniseed
A very popular aphrodisiac with many culinary uses. It has been used as an aphrodisiac since the Greeks and the Romans, who believed aniseed had special powers. Sucking on the seeds is said to increases your desire.
Asparagus
Asparagus is frequently enjoyed as an aphrodisiac food. During the nineteenth century bridegrooms were served three courses of asparagus to increase their ardour. Feed your lover boiled or steamed spears for a sensuous experience.
Almond
A symbol of fertility throughout the ages. The aroma is thought to induce passion in a female. Try serving Marzipan (almond paste) in the shapes of fruits for a special after-dinner treat.
Avocado
This is a delicious fruit with a sensuous texture. Serve in slices with a small amount of Balsamic vinegar and freshly ground pepper.
Bananas
Of course the bananas shape is probably partly to blame for it’s reputation as an aphrodisiac but its creamy, lush texture is also responsible and some studies show its enzyme bromelain enhances male performance. From a more practical standpoint bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, necessities for sex hormone production.
Basil (sweet basil)
Is said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. It is also said to produce a general sense of well being for body and mind.
Chocolate
The Aztecs referred to chocolate "nourishment of the Gods". Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in the brain and a related substance to caffeine called theobromine. Chocolate contains more antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes) than does red wine. The secret for passion is to combine the two. Try a glass of Cabernet with a bit of dark chocolate for a sensuous treat.
Carrots
The carrot has been associated with romance since ancient times and was used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid seduction.
Champagne
Viewed as the "drink of love," moderate quantities lower inhibitions and cause a warm glow in the body.
Coffee
Caffeine is a well-know stimulant but remember, too much and it becomes a depressant. Serve small amounts of rich dark coffee in special little demitasse cups. Coffee stimulates both the body and the mind so partake of a little in preparation for an "all-nighter".
Garlic
The 'heat' in garlic is said to stir sexual desires. Make sure you and your partner share it together. Garlic has been used for centuries to cure everything from the common cold to heart ailments.
Ginger
Ginger root raw, cooked or crystallized is a stimulant to the circulatory system.
Honey
Many medicines in Egyptian times were based on honey including cures for sterility and impotence. Medieval seducers plied their partners with Mead, a fermented drink made from honey. Lovers on their "Honeymoon" drank mead and it was thought to "sweeten" the marriage.
Liquorice (licorice)
The Chinese have used licorice for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The essence of the Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) plant, glycrrhizin, is 50 time sweeter than sugar. Chewing on bits of licorice root is said to enhance love and lust. It is particularly stimulating to woman.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg was highly prized by Chinese women as an aphrodisiac. In quantity nutmeg can produce a hallucinogenic effect. A light sprinkling of the spice in a warm pumpkin soup can help spice up your evening.
Oysters
Oysters were documented as a aphrodisiac food by the Romans in the second century A.D as mentioned in a satire by Juvenal. He described the wanton ways of women after ingesting wine and eating "giant oysters". In reality oysters are a very nutritious and high in protein.
Pine Nuts
Zinc is a key mineral necessary to maintain male potency and pine nuts are rich in zinc. Pine nuts have been used to stimulate the libido as far back as Medieval times. Serve pine nut cookies with a dark espresso for a stimulating dessert.
Pineapple
Rich in vitamin C and and is used in the homeopathic treatment for impotence. Add a spear to a sweet Rum drink for a tasty prelude to an evening of passion.
Raspberries and Strawberries
Perfect foods for hand feeding your lover. Both are high in vitamin C and make a sweet light dessert.
Truffles
The Greeks and the Romans considered the rare Truffle to be an aphrodisiac. The musky scent is said to stimulate and sensitize the skin to touch.
Vanilla
The scent and flavor of vanilla is believed to increase lust. According to the Australian Orchid Society, "Old Totonac lore has it that Xanat, the young daughter of the Mexican fertility goddess, loved a Totonac youth. Unable to marry him due to her divine nature, she transformed herself into a plant that would provide pleasure and happiness." Fill tall Champagne glasses to the rim and add a vanilla bean for a heady, bubbly treat.
Wine
A glass or two of wine can greatly enhance a romantic interlude. Wine relaxes and helps to stimulate our senses. Drinking wine can be an erotic experience. Let your eyes feast on the color of the liquid. Caress the glass, savor the taste on your lips. Do remember that excessive alcohol will make you too drowsy for the after-dinner romance. A moderate amount of wine has been said to "arouse" but much more than that amount with have the reverse affect.