Exotica: The Art of Romantic Cooking

Music may be the food of love but exotic food is its spice. Love thrives on the unexpected and a splash of the unfamiliar can heighten romantic feelings. This is why exotic food is so perfect for romantic dinners. Gere are some suggestions on how you can spice up your love life with an exotic feast for both of you.

Love withers with predictability; its very essence is surprise and amazement. To make love a prisoner of the mundane is to take its passion and lose it forever.Leo F. Buscaglia, American psychologist

Asian aphrodisiacs

Thai food is romantic, sensual and beautiful to serve. Its exquisite mingling of flavours and textures is complimented by a delicate underlying heat from the spices that make it a delight to eat and a true food for lovers. It is no surprise that Thai food is rapidly becoming the first choice for couples on a first dinner date but there is no reason it shouldn’t work its magic on more long-standing lovers dining at home.

What could be more exotic and romantic than a Thai inspired mussel dish?  Served with an Asian salad this makes a perfect light main course. It is easy to prepare but heavenly to eat. Simply steam the mussels in white wine and then briefly simmer them in a basil and coconut sauce. Sprinkle some fresh red chillies, coriander and basil over the top for the perfect exotic seafood dinner for a romantic night in.

Love is the poetry of the senses.
Honore de Balzac (French poet)

Make it easy on yourself

For those whose passion for cooking has never been ignited you can still provide the perfect romantic menu for an exotic dinner. Why not have mouth-watering delights delivered straight to your door. You could serve up the finest cured smoked salmon paupiettes filled with crab and lobster, fillet steak served with creamy mashed potato and black truffle and arrange and then finish with velvety smooth chocolate parfait.

There is no love sincerer than the love of food.
George Bernard Shaw (Irish dramatist)

Latin passion

The book ‘Like Water For Chocolate’ is all about how love, passion, food and cooking are intertwined in Latin American culture and you can add some of this Latin passion into the romantic meals you prepare at home. Full recipes for classic Mexican dishes reveal just how easy it is to prepare the following lover’s feasts.

• Tilapia or swordfish tacos with coriander, avocado and mango.
• Cochinita pibil (slow roasted pork).
• Chiles en nogada (crab stuffed poblano peppers in a walnut sauce).
• Pumpkin seed crusted salmon and pipian verde.
• Chicken mole.

She knew through her own flesh how fire transforms the elements, how a lump of corn flour is changed into a tortilla, how a soul that hasn’t been warmed by the fire of love is lifeless, like a useless ball of corn flour.
Laura Esquivel – Like Water for Chocolate (Mexican author)

Try something different

Next time you are preparing a romantic meal why not try something different rather than reach for the recipe of an old favourite -whether that means ordering luxury food from a gourmet food company like Forman & Field or trying out a new Mexican dish. Variety, after all, is the spice of love.