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Cooking for a significant other for the first time can be exciting, nerve-wracking, andmomentous—that’s a lot of emotions all wrapped up in one dish. But we get it:there’s a chance that he or she will remember that first meal forever and potentiallyrequest that you make it again and again—and again. We picked 15 delicious sweet and savorydishes, many containing delicious ingredients that are consideredaphrodisiacs. Whether you identify with Ina and are used to whipping up meals formultitudes or your typical dinner prep includes dialing for delivery, we have yummyoptions for a variety of palates and food preferences. We can’t guarantee any ofthese will make your significant other fall in love with you, but they will definitelyhelp your cause.
Baked Oysters with jalapeno, lime, cilantro butter
Sexy and succulent, these baked oysters bring the heat. Cilantro butter, lime, andjalapeno add new and bold flavors to a traditional preparation of baked oysters. Have the oysters shucked for you (or enlist your partner to help), and this dishcomes together quickly and aromatically.
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Creamy barley risotto with mushrooms and spinach
Risotto gets a rustic makeover by using chewy and flavorful barley as its base andthen topping it with sautéed garlic mushrooms and spinach. You can also dial downthe garlic and still have the dish be tasty—if you are worried about bad breath. But if you bothsmell like garlic, who cares? We say go for it. If you’re together for the long haul,garlic breath will make its appearance at some point anyways, right? A yummymeal-in-a-bowl that will warm you up on a cold night.
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Baked white fish with pine nut, parmesan, and basil pesto crust
Baked white fish with a pine nut, parmesan, and basil pesto crust sounds likesomething you would find on the menu at a fancy restaurant, but this dish issurprisingly easy to make at home. Pick from a variety of types of white fish; thecrust of pine nuts, cheese, garlic, pesto (which can be store-bought or homemade),and a little mayo, will transform and amplify the taste. This fish dish is also low-carb,so you won’t feel too weighed down after dinner for other pursuits.
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Autumn arugula salad with caramelized squash and pomegranate ginger vinaigrette
Start the evening off with a bright and flavorful salad that combines caramelizedsquash, spiced pecans, and an array of green veggies. It’s worth mentioning thatarugula, avocado, and pomegranates are all considered aphrodisiacs. Talk about asexy salad! This is another recipe that we are sure will be making a repeatperformance in our kitchen.
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Hawaiian salmon poke
You may already be planning your honeymoon to Hawaii in your head, but you don’thave to tell your dinner guest that. Trust us, your special someone won’t care about your motiveswhen you serve this fragrant dish. Inspired by a beloved Hawaiian tradition, it’s afish dish you don’t even have to cook! Served with warm rice and avocado, thishealthy meal will transport you and your significant other.
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Torta caprese
Got a gluten-free significant other? Here’s a naturally flour-free dessert that will winhim or her over. Known as a Torta Caprese, from the island vacation spot where it originated, the cake uses ground almonds in lieu of grains and incorporateschocolate, butter, and eggs for a decadent and rich dessert. You definitely won’tmiss the flour in this surprisingly dense treat.
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Coffee and spice rubbed salmon
Taco Tuesday? We can’t imagine limiting ourselves to this coffee and spice rubbedsalmon taco recipe to just one day of the week. Topped with an avocado-tomatillosalsa and a crunchy, seasoned red cabbage slaw mix, these boldly seasoned salmontacos are perfect for hungry appetites and palates that enjoy lots of flavor.
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Stuffed figs with goat cheese
This simple dessert (or appetizer) has deceptively deep flavors. Sensuous fresh figsare filled with creamy goat cheese and broiled before getting topped with dateor regular honey. Addicting and almost bite-sized: you could serve them with a forkand knife or eat with your hands. Like Cher said in Clueless, anything you can do todraw attention to your mouth is good.
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Lobster mac and cheese
Lobster mac and cheese is a mouthwatering way to nudge unadventurous eaters outof their comfort zone. This dish also definitely sends a message of comfort andfamiliarity (all great things when beginning a relationship). And, really, who canresist mac and cheese?
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Shrimp and vegetable tagine with preserved lemon
If you or your significant other have never eaten a tagine, an iconic stew-like dishfrom Morocco, you are missing out. This dish brilliantly tells you how to recreate asumptuous, layered meal in your own home and incorporates shrimp marinatedwith a variety of seductive spices and lots of vegetables. We love that it can beprepared partially then refrigerated, making pre-date night preparations mucheasier.
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Fettuccine with wild mushrooms and artichoke
This pasta, along with being deliciously comforting, is packed with aphrodisiacingredients including garbanzo beans, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and parsley. Ifyou are vegan or trying to woo a vegan lover, this dish will satisfy everyone’s tastes.It also looks great for serving at dinner parties.
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Caviar blinis
Making blinis is a bit like making pancakes, so even novice cooks will be up to thetask. Decadent caviar, paired with smoked salmon, tops these fluffier crepe-liketreats. These little morsels are elegant without trying too hard and let your diningcompanion know he or she is worth the splurge.
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Persian love cake
If you are a little gun-shy with the “I-love-you’s”, you can omit the name of this cake,although its seductive powers will be evident as soon as someone takes the first bite.This airy cake is topped with candied rose petals, chopped pistachios, and frostedwith a saffron and rose water topping. A feast for all the senses.
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Poached pears with cardamom and saffron
Another make-ahead dish that certainly doesn’t skimp on flavor. Pears poached inwine get an exotic update with the addition of saffron and cardamom. This lusciousdessert is drizzled with warm syrup can be served with crème fraiche or, if you arein the mood, a scoop of creamy ice cream.
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Tomato and Zucchini tart
You are probably going to want to wait to use this fancy-looking tart recipe untiltomatoes are back in season, but it’s such a beauty we couldn’t resist including it.And despite looking too impressive for non-professional chefs, this tart mainlyinvolves layering the tomatoes and zucchinis in a pretty pattern. If this still looks toointimidating, try making a veggie-filled quiche and serve with a salad for an eveneasier, yet still lovely any season meal.
