Heat up your date with the perfect aphrodisiac home cooked meal this Valentine’s Day

• With an estimated of up to 91% of the UK celebrating Valentine’s day this year[1], Wren Kitchens has created the perfect three course meal that you can serve your date this Valentine’s Day to ignite the passion.
• Food psychologist and relationship expert Mairead Molloy has added commentary on the best meals to cook your date to woo them on the romantic day 

Research has showed that one in four Brits were planning to cook a special dinner for their date at home [1] this year. With this in mind, Wren Kitchens has created the perfect three course aphrodisiac meals to cook your date this Valentine’s Day for the perfect at-home date night and to leave your other half feeling hot under the collar.

Food science expert Mairead Molloy has provided her insight on how foods can play a part in why we feel certain emotions. She argues that: “The relationship between food and mood is bi-directional: food affects the person’s mood through physiological mechanisms, and the person’s mood plays a strong role in determining the choice of food”. 

As Mairead highlights, food plays a huge role in dictating emotions, therefore, choosing the right dishes to cook is super important in setting the scene for a romantic evening in for two. 

After all, nothing sets the scene like a three course homecooked meal under candlelight. 

Aphrodisiac delights
Named after the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite , Aphrodisiacs are foods that elicits a feeling of passion from either the taste of them or even occasionally the shape of them.

Food association plays a big part in how aphrodisiacs are effective according to Mairead, and the association of certain foods being aphrodisiacs is what makes them effective.

To enhance the passion in your evening, try these three tantalizing recipes which each feature a popular aphrodisiac. Namely, Oysters and salmon which have been seen as a natural aphrodisiac for years[4] due to their vitamin-rich nature.

If you’re considering making a divine dessert, chocolate is also a popular aphrodisiac which has been known to increase dopamine levels to reinvigorate sex drive .

Starter:
Chilli and ginger oysters:
•    2 red chilies, finely chopped
•    ½ thumb-sized piece of peeled ginger, grated
•    ½ tsp of lime juice
•    3 Coriander sprigs, finely chopped
•    6 Oysters

Instructions:
•    If they haven’t been already, shuck your oysters with an oyster-shucker or small knife.
•    Combine your chili, ginger, coriander, and lime juice and pour the mixture over your oysters.
•    Serve immediately and enjoy.

Main course:
Parmesan crusted salmon with a side of asparagus:
•    2 Salmon fillets
•    1 bunch (roughly 350g) of asparagus spears, woody ends trimmed 
•    Olive oil, to taste
•    Salt, to taste
•    Pepper, to taste
•    1 egg
•    2 lemon slices

Parmesan crumb:
•    ¼ cup of Panko breadcrumbs
•    ¼ tsp of paprika 
•    ¼ cup of shredded parmesan cheese 
•    1 tsp of olive oil
•    1 clove of garlic, finely chopped

Instructions:
•    Preheat your oven to 400°F.
•    Toss the asparagus, olive oil, salt and pepper and transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes.
•    Meanwhile, in a small bowl, make the salmon crumbs by mixing the breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic, parmesan cheese and olive oil together.
•    In another small bowl, crack the egg and whisk it.
•    Season your salmon fillets with salt, pepper and olive oil before dipping them into the egg and coating them in the breadcrumb mixture.
•    Place the coated fillets on a rack and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.
•    Remove from the oven and serve with a lemon slice.

Dessert:
Chocolate fondue:
•    ¾ cup of milk or dark chocolate, roughly chopped
•    ½ cup of heavy cream
•    A pinch of salt

To dip:
•    Strawberries
•    Marshmallows
•    Banana
•    Raspberries
•    Graham crackers
•    Oreos
•    Pretzels 

Instructions:
•    In a saucepan, slowly heat up your heavy cream and salt over a medium heat, stirring consistently until it begins to bubble.
•    Once bubbling, remove it from the heat and stir in your chocolate until melted.
•    Serve immediately with your choice of dips and enjoy!

These recipes will make your Valentine’s Day the most romantic one yet!