Seduction Meals is about food + romance and the premise that everyone should learn to master one dish that is their signature dish—a Seduction Meal, to enchant and captivate that special someone in your life...
What better way to celebrate independence day then sharing a blanket and tasty delights under the stars. But then again, July 4th weekend is ripe for many opportunities for food and romance. The perfect set up--a picnic for two. The time of day is up to you, a lunch time fiesta in the shade, a blanket under under the explosive colors of fireworks, or a serene sunrise on the beach. Whatever your style, the magic will be there as you revel in each others company while sharing edible delights. Don't forget to bring a few sparklers
Grab your favorite picnic blanket, a basket equipped with wine glasses, corkscrew, silverware, cloth napkins, salt, pepper and smartly wrapped foods; complimented by your favorite wine. You might want to also bring a small cooler filled with ice for the items that need to stay chilled.
I like to keep things simple. Finger foods, prepared foods, even
take-out should all be considered when assembling your tasty treats. And be creative. Do something different. Shower your date with dazzling surprises. Instead of a bottle of wine, try whipping up a couple of martinis beautifully topped with slivers of hand-chipped ice. The possibilities for culinary magic are endless. Below are a few suggestions for the type of picnic you can assemble. If you plan on enjoying a long day or night together, bring fun things you can both do together: scrabble, share your favorite poetry, binoculars for people watching, or the NY Times crossword puzzle.
elegant picnic for two
martini topped with hand-chipped slivers of ice
endive leaves with taramasalata, red caviar, topped with a thinly sliced black olive ring
kalamata olives
octopus salad with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, with thyme
chilled strawberry soup (served in the cleaned martini glasses)
To keep thinks simple, go to your favorite Greek restaurant or market for the taramasalata, octopus (ask them to slice it), and olives. For a more hearty meal, instead of strawberry soup, you can buy spinach pies.
Japanese elegance
Perhaps you are near a really good Japanese restaurant; think of the
beautiful presentation this food brings. All you need to do is be creative with the colors of your set up. A beautifully patterned or bold colored blanket, red candle holders, plates for the sushi, and a good quality bottle of sake, chilled.
an array of color sushi and sashimi
a
bowl of edamame
mix of chicken and beef yakatori (skewered meats)
chilled saki served with thin slivers of
cucumbers slices
watermelon
casual picnic for two
smoked salmon served on black bread, with sweet butter, freshly squeezed lemon, and cracked black pepper
While perusing recipes for your special seduction meal, often there are exotic ingredients and special equipment that might encourage you to turn the page and continue looking. Fret no more. You can find the same high quality ingredients used by top chefs across the country with L'epicerie.com. Bookmark this website for on-demand access to the finest specialty
food products, kitchenware, gifts and hard-to-find items for the home cook and
food enthusiast.
Take a look at this slide show to see the wonderful items you can order for quick delivery including pastries like macroons and madeleines, gourmet food products such as caviar, truffle juice, and premium olive oil. Here hard-to-find items are a cinch: guava, lychee and many other purees and sauces, edible gold dust and a gold dust sprinkler, marzipan, gelatin sheets, Griottines, cocoa nibs, chocolate powders, and so much more.
All of the products and ingredients are of the highest quality, and
most are made with careful care by small producers not distributed in
large retail operations. Boiron, Mauviel, Peugeot,
Cipriani, Pillivuyt, Rabasse, Staud's, Terre Bormane, and Valrhona, are
some of the brands you will become intimate with. Enjoy your visit.
Need a great gift idea for the foodie in your life? Try a gift certificate from L'Epicerie--I am sure they will be thrilled..
Making a great cup of coffee is a somewhat of a balancing act.You have to find the right equipment, the best beans to match your preferred taste, and the perfect ratio of coffee to water. I've always heard Kona coffee is the best so I went right to the source and placed an order for fresh coffee beans shipped directly from Hawaii.
Athena of Hawaii to be exact. Athena was recently awarded the prestigious
"Hawaii Seal of Quality". Not many quality locally grown items can be
found anymore in the 50th state. Only 25 agricultural producers passed
the stringent tests so far, and ATHENA of HAWAII is the first and only
single estate 100% Kona coffee farm admitted.
Their coffee is grown in the shadow of a volcano, hand picked, sun dried, and beautifully packaged before being shipped to your door. You can choose from three different blends: American (light), Vienna (medium roast), and French (dark roast). I preferred the French dark roast. It took a few tries to find the right mix of coffee to water. The secret for me was using less of the ground Kona than I typically used for my standard morning cup of coffee.
My Sunday breakfast in bed, with a cup of fresh Kona coffee, a bowl of mixed fruit and cream, and a basket of croissants for two was the perfect way to start the day.
For those that prefer a little more spirit in life, I have pulled together a few recipes from a site I discovered called Best Coffee News which is filled with all kinds of tidbits on coffee. Here's a sample of some of their coffee and liquor recipes found on the site:
Cafe Grand Marnier 2 ounces Grand Marnier 1 teaspoon sugar 6 ounces hot freshly made black coffee Lightly whipped double cream Slices of thinly sliced orange zest
Warm a brandy glass and add the Grand Marnier with the sugar. Add the hot coffee and give it a good stir. Pour the whipped cream over the back of a spoon onto the coffee and decorate with slivers of orange zest. Drink through the cream without mixing.
Coffee Calypso 2.5 pints hot freshly made black coffee 2 tablespoons rum 2 tablespoons Tia Maria 2 tablespoons Cognac Whipped cream
In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients except the cream. Heat gently. Do not bring to boil. Pour into 4 warmed brandy glasses and top with whipped cream.
Hot Mocha Cognac 2 ounces cognac 1 teaspoon sugar 8 ounces hot strong freshly made black coffee 8 ounces hot cocoa 6 tablespoons double cream chocolate curls
Warm two brandy glasses. Combine the first 4 ingredients in a saucepan and heat gently. Do not bring to boil. Pour into the glasses. Whip the cream. Spoon onto the hot mocha mixture and decorate with chocolate curls.
If you are interested in ordering Kona Coffee you can do so online at Athena of Hawaii, or contact the owners directly:
For those who love mushrooms and want to experiment with more recipes here's a slide show of different mushroom varieties and a quick description of each. When you are ready to cook your romantic meal for two, here arelinks to some of our favorite mushroom recipes:
White button. The most popular mushroom, white buttons represent about 90 percent of mushrooms consumed in the United States.They have a fairly mild taste and blend well with almost anything. Their flavor intensifies when cooked.
Crimini. Also known as baby 'bellas or browns, criminis are similar in appearance to whites, but have a light-tan to rich-brown cap and a firmer texture. Criminis have a deeper, earthier flavor than whites.
Portabella. A larger relative of criminis, Portabellas have tan or brown caps and measure up to 6 inches in diameter. They have a deep, meat-like texture and flavor.
Shiitake. Shiitakes are tan to dark brown and have broad, umbrella-shaped caps, wide open veils, tan gills and curved stems that should be removed.They have a meaty texture and are rich and woodsy when cooked.
Enoki. Enoki have tiny, button-shaped caps and long, spindly stems.They are mild tasting and crunchy.
Maitake. Maitake appear rippling and fan-shaped, without caps. They are also called "Hen of the Woods."Maitake have a distinctive aroma and a rich, woodsy taste.
Oyster. Oysters can be gray, pale yellow or even blue, with a velvety texture.Oysters have a very delicate flavor.
Beech. Beech mushrooms are petite with either all-white or light-brown caps. Beeches have a crunchy texture offering a delicately mild flavor that is sweet and deliciously nutty
Truffles. While nothing to look at truffles are a highly praised culinary ingredient. It has a smell similar to deep fried sundflower seeds or walnuts. Brillat Savarin called the truffle "the diamond of the kitchen" and praised its aphrodisiacal powers.
Wild Mushrooms. Some mushroom lovers enjoy searching the woods for prized wild varieties of mushrooms, such as morels, truffles and chanterelles. Because there are thousands of varieties of inedible and poisonous mushrooms, it's important to never eat wild mushrooms without the guidance of a trained mycologist, or mushroom expert. Poisonous mushrooms often resemble non-poisonous mushrooms, so it's best to purchase commercially grown mushrooms. If you want to try wild varieties, be sure you only eat those purchased from a trusted retailer or served in a restaurant.
How to Clean Mushrooms:
Brush off any dirt with a damp paper towel or fingers.
Rinse fresh mushrooms only briefly under running water and pat dry with a paper towel. Never soak them, as they absorb moisture.
Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and romance. Whether you are dating, involved in a relationship, engaged, or married, on February 14th, couples across the country step away from their daily routines to embrace an evening of enchantment with their loved ones. Flowers, chocolates, special gifts, dining in, or eating out...reservations, trips abroad, a long weekend get-away--what did you do in the name of love? We'd love to hear your stories. Here are a few:
virginia + tom,committed relationship
My Valentines Day was fabulous! Last night at 7:00 the only people left in the office were the three happily married young people - me and two guys....the singletons were long gone!!! When I got home two things were off.....the lights were mostly turned off and tom was vacuuming??
I went in; turned the lites on--nothing interesting in sight, so I went about preparing his favorite seduction meal, rib eye steak marinated in red wine, onion powder, thyme, salt 'n pepper, served with new potatoes with sour cream and chives, and a green salad - he gets this every year!
I don't expect anything form him as he is very cynical about the whole from this pressure-filled hallmark holiday-thing, but he kept urging me to go into the bedroom. The lights were off and when I turned them on there were a dozen beautiful long stemmed red roses and a gift bag. In it was a teddy bear holding a heart shaped box and in the box was a pair of diamond earrings...
ellen + jeff, married
I had THE most romantic Valentines Day ever--although I have a lot of close seconds. My husband is A+ in the romance category. When Jeff came home from work, he told me to go into the bedroom and wait until he knocked on the door. He came to the bedroom, took my hand an walked me into the living room. There were candles lit everywhere---the room was aglow! Standing in the corner playing the violin was a student from Juliard playing Tchaikovsky. She serenaded the two of us with seven more exceptional musical pieces; giving us a little history about each song-- it was so beautiful! And the timing was perfect--when she was done, as she left--the doorman buzzed to let us know the delivery man from Patsy's Pizzeria was downstairs. Life couldn't be any better!
randee + kevin, married
Valentines day was really nice! Kevin brought me coffee in bed where we exchanged cards.
I came downstairs to find long stem roses in a vase. We went to Bravo Bravo in Mystic for dinner.
I had a bellini martini (peach schnapps, champagne, raspberry and an orange twist) and Kevin had a dirty martini. We split a warm goat cheese salad. Their bread is awesome (served with red pepper hummus, olives and olive oil).
I had Salmon with blood orange salsa over jasmine dirty rice. Kevin had pork chops with mashed potatoes.
I had Chardonnay, he had Russian River Pinot Noir. They had wine glasses on every table with valentine's hearts.. I picked ALL MINE!
We came home, looked at the moon and acknowledged our blessings. Then Kevin made a fire in the fireplace and we watched "Becoming Jane" with Anne Hathaway about Jane Austen.
My Valentine - I surprised my husband with a romantic dinner. Menu: Strawberry, goat cheese salad. Filet of beef au poivre (barefoot contessa) with roasted potatoes. Chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. Complete with candles and flowers. I found everything on foodnetwork.com. I don't normally cook, so my husband was really surprised.
alison + irene,"in escrow"
My girlfriend picked a restaurant several weeks ago and made us a reservation; I read the menu and its EXACTLY the same as other nights, but the prix fixe was twice as much just cause its Valentine's Day. So we decided to stay in and go out another night. Seemed like a better idea since sometimes I work late and its hard to make dinner plans in advance. So now, Irene (who loves to have an excuse to cook something new) is making us what she calls a "rock & roll clambake" comprised of clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops and lobster. We sometimes go to BLT Fish Shack (www.bltfish.com/shack/) on Monday nights for the "rock & roll clambake." Irene wants to try and recreate it at home. Dessert is a surprise.
As it turns out, the menu was changed from the "rock & roll clambake" to the "Rustic Seafood Stew", but it was equally delicious.
Christy + Steve, engaged
We went to this little place in our neighborhood called Elote. It's Mexican. Steve loves Mexican food, and I've sort of been obsessed with Mexican food and culture since we got engaged in Tulum (in the Yucatan) in December.
The restaurant is usually a casual kind of place, but the staff dressed up for the occasion, and they were playing romantic music in the background - lots of love songs.
The oyster stew was yummy, and I loved the scallop appetizer. And the margaritas there, are kick ass. Overall, it was delicious (and a bargain to boot).
stacey, single
I went to a friends house where 5 of us watched Lost. I brought a 7 layer dip, and my pal Cher made a slow cooking roast.
Jeff + Katie, married, 1 child
Pre-Valentine's day dinner included Saturday night dining at Peter Luger's with another couple. Two orders of steak-for-two, medium-well for the girls and medium-rare for the guys. Side orders included tomato and onions, cream of spinach and fries. Desert was a key lime and chocolate cake slice with schlag, which is an incredible German whipped cream. Amazing. It was planned for two weeks, hence the amazing dining time we got for 4:45 :-)
For Valentine's evening I made a salad which consisted of fresh spinach with crushed walnuts, chopped shallots, fresh breadcrumbs drizzled with a light olive oil and vinegar dressing as the foundation. On top I prepared thin breaded chicken strips topped off by toasted breaded disks of goat cheese and garnered with apple slices. It was really good!
Spice up your Valetine's Day with provocative, sensual games for a little extra fun...
Cosmos Naughty Notesgotta have it! Cosmo's Naughty Notes is perfect for anyone who wants to excite and entice that someone special. Just peel out these racy messages and leave them on his dashboard, her pillow, or wherever else they might find them...and watch the temperature rise!
The 100 sexy stickies provide the ultimate precursor to passion. Complete with clever innuendos and exciting designs, they're perfect for any seductive scenario you might be planning--whether it's describing a naughty night ahead, your next midnight Seduction Meal, or revealing a racy secret. there are notes that will make any special occasion sizzle, from a birthday to Valentine's Day to the Fourth of July.
Truth, Dare, or Chocolate Gotta Have It! From the makers of the wildly popular Strip Chocolate, comes a new and
revealingly delicious adult dessert game Truth, Dare or Chocolate.
Chocoholics has given the age-old game of Spin the Bottle a new
chocolate twist. If you are hungry for dessert and some very seductive
action, turn the lights on low, spread out a comforter by a cozy fire
and get ready for some embarrassing, but titillating fun. You will earn
points for telling Truths, taking Dares and tattooing your partner with
delicious Chocoholics Body Frosting.
An Enchanting Evening Game-- A game of Laughter and Romance Gotta Have It! Use the playful spirit of a great game to bring more passion to your
partnership. Designed to help you grow closer together, this game is
full of unique suggestions and delightful ideas. Roll the dice and
travel around the game board drawing cards that correspond to the space
you land on. The cards may ask you to express a thought (What is it
about your partners body that you find alluring?) or perform an
activity. To win the game, you'll make an exact roll to land on the
finish space. But of course, there are no losers in this game! For 2
players
Dirty Minds gotta have it! In this naughty game, the chaster your mind, the better chance you have of winning. Two or more adult players guess the correct clean answers to the dirty clues provided. The winner is the first person to spell "D-I-R-T-Y" with the cards collected for correct answers. Cleanse your mind and begin! This holiday season the 2nd edition of the worlds cleanest "dirty" Game is available, this one is even more outrageous than the original classic party game. While you are guaranteed some laughs, the dirtier a mind you have, the worse you will be at playing dirty minds, since all of the answers are clean!
Sex Smarts Gotta Have It! Fun, frisky facts that will make you laugh, and learn. Play SexSmarts and open new worlds about the culture, practice and history of sex. 100 titillating, brightly illustrated question and answer cards ask: Which sexual positions are the most popular? Where are the body's hidden erotic spots? You'll find pleasure in every card. Play SexSmarts with your friends, a partner, or at a party and enjoy how your conversations develop. If you want to show off how sex smart you are, play competitively with the score sheet enclosed in the game.
Strip ChocolateGotta Have it! Tempting more than your taste buds, Strip Chocolate can be exciting in every sense of the word. You will laugh, you will strip, and you will eat delicious chocolate in new and different ways! Only one thing is certain in a game of Strip Chocolate, everybody wins. Just play by the rules and anything can (and usually does) happen. Complete with Chocolate Body Frosting, dice, and 'Dare' cards, this gift will provide hours of fun. Perfect for a honeymoon or other romantic occasion.
Nooki (for the more intimate/adventurous couples) gotta have it! For adults only, this game takes a playful look at romance. Your three categories are Mmm, Ooh and Aah, progressing from playful to much more provocative activities. One of the most popular grown up games for couples, the game is designed to generate sexy fun for two - there is no board...both players explore each other! Roll the dice to see how much time you'll spend on each one. And get ready to have fun with your partner. Comes with a do not disturb sign to hang on the door, a luxurious sheer purple scarf, six packs of cards (three for each player), two dice and a timer. Editor's Note: this game is sexually explicit. Not first date material.
Chocolate Body Talk Tatoo SetGotta Have It! Chocoholics Body Talk Chocolate Tattoo Set! Adorn your body with a tantalizing chocolate tattoo. Comes with a jar of delicious Chocoholics Body Frosting, paint brush, and stencils to help you craft a provocative design. Say it with chocolate! Then eat your words!
Elixirs of Love--do you have a culinary seduction story to share? Please email it to me or post it in comments below.
Years ago I attended a party in Midtown Manhattan filled with glamorous people, wonderful food and free flowing champagne. The arresting, surreal part of this setting was the 50 foot wall lined with trophy heads of animals from around the world gazing over this NY scene. To top off the night an announcement was made. The host, a worldly hunter, just returned from a highly successful jaunt and invited everyone to join him for a celebratory cocktail mixed with Rhino Tusk. Everyone happily sauntered over to the bar and lustily imbibed. I was one of the few who curiously observed (today I would happily knock one back). But really...could a phallic shaped animal part really enhance your libido and turn you into a rock star lover? Do aphrodisiacs really work? Regardless, I had my eye on the door in case everyone suddenly turned into a "pack of dogs in heat". Luckily this never happened.
Myth of fact? Throughout the centuries aphrodisiacs--and there are many, have been attributed to increased sexual desire, fertility, and the ability to ignite wild lust and passion in us all. Who are we to argue? If you believe, anything is possible. As I've said before, a little culinary alchemy never hurt anyone (except that poor rhino!)
When serving Elixirs of Love to enhance your Seduction Meal--not necessarily rhino tusk but perhaps oysters, avocado, honey or chocolate, be creative with your music selection to get the mood going in the right direction. Have a little fun, maybe mix in a little voodoo magic with your romantic tunes:
The James Beard Foundation does it again. Artistically prepared, seductive Mexcican food paired with assorted mezcal all night long..now that's a Seduction Meal!
Sean Yontz, recognized as one of Denver's top chef's with a passion for Latin influenced cuisine, and Chris Douglas, known for artfully combining his experience and love of fine dining with the flavors and flair of central Mexico; togetgher hosted the Contemporary Mexican Celebration at the James Beard Foundation creating one artistic culinary masterpiece after the other.
They were joined by Ron Cooper, founder of New Mexico based Del Maguey whose prized mezcals are produced in small quantities which may help explain their prices: $40 to $200 per bottle. Here's a link to some of Ron's Mescal recipes: you've got to love names like "Fire Between the Thighs" and "The Xiuhtecuhtli O (The Fire God)" or "Chocolate and Mezcal Volcano Cakes".
Hors d'Oeuvres Tastings
Butter Poached Spiny Lobster with Crisp Potato Cakes
Foie Gras Torchon with Carmelized Plaintains and Onion Salsa
Tuna Nachos with Guacamole and Fresno Peppers
Huitlachoche Quesadillas with Smoked Jalapeno Salsa (looked more like empanadas to me)
Smokin' Marg > Del Maguey Blanco Mezcal with Orange and Lime Juices and Cointreau or,
Well here it is, the first day of my blog. So what's it all about?
Seduction Meals is about food + romance and the premise that everyoneshould learn to master one dish that is their signature dish--a Seduction Meal, to enchant and captivate that special someone in your life. From simple to gourmet, whatever your style, anytime you find someone "oohing and ahhing" over the food you've served, and the overall experience moves you closer to your desired intent... you can consider that a Seduction Meal.
While the taste of your meal is paramount, the overall holistic experience is also key: the ambiance of the room or location, the time of day, the aromas, the presentation of the meal, the music played, the drinks served--it all adds up.
Let me paint a picture...
That special someone has accepted your invitation--dinner at your place. What will you do for this potentially enchanting evening? A rooftop soiree with stars overhead, sultry music, a candle lit table with bouillabaisse for two. Or, perhaps its your anniversary, you want to do something seductively romantic. What do you have in mind? Champagne and caviar served in front of the fireplace followed by chocolate dipped strawberries. Or, maybe chocolate body paint is more your style. . .
The reason for your Seduction Meal may vary; the first date at your place, a special celebration, taking your relationship to the next level, or an anniversary. The main purpose of this blog is to share recipes, stories, mistakes and tips on how to prepare for your special occasion. But more than anything I welcome hearing from YOU and learning about YOUR favorite recipes, YOUR favorite music, and YOUR Seduction Meal stories--good and bad.
Let's have some fun sharing two of life's universal pleasures, food + romance.
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Grab your favorite picnic blanket, a basket equipped with wine glasses, corkscrew, silverware, cloth napkins, salt, pepper and smartly wrapped foods; complimented by your favorite wine. You might want to also bring a small cooler filled with ice for the items that need to stay chilled.
