Chilli, chocolate & Kolkata biryani: Fun twists to spice up your Valentine's Day dinner
Times of India | 8 February 2025
Valentine’s Day is a good time to cook a special meal for your partner. Try setting up a candlelit dinner to make it more romanticPics: Kaustav Saikia; Models: Sushmita Roy and Rangeet Raheel What if we said you can not only spice up your meals with cinnamon, ginger, chili, and honey, but also make your Valentine’s Day more fun. These aren’t just flavours bombs, they’re aphrodisiacs too. Named after the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, these ingredients can
seriously amp up your mood and libido. So why not turn up the heat and plan a sizzling date night with your partner? Dive into the world of Indian aphrodisiacs and whip up a tantalizing meal to keep the romance alive.
‘We can find aphrodisiac ingredients in our pantry’
Chef Madhomiita Mohhanta tells us that Indian royalty, such as the Mughals and Rajputs, embraced luxurious aphrodisiac blends enriched with saffron, ghee, and gold dust. “While the West has dominated pop culture representation of stimulating foods with strawberries, chocolates and champagne, it would benefit us to look at our own culture to find aphrodisiacs,” she says. She explains that ingredients like ghee, honey, dates, figs and saffron all have the power to get one in the mood.
It’s time to look beyond chocolate and strawberries. Make a cup of spicy hot chocolate for your beau with Indian aphrodisiac ingredients like chilli and spices and you’ve got a winner– Chef Urvika Kanoi
‘Spices are a treasure trove of stimulants’
Chef Urvika Kanoi. believes that there’s nothing quite comforting and stimulating than a spicy curry with nutmeg, mace, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves – which are in our spice boxes. Chef Shaun Kenworthy says that Persian and Indian spices are heroes. While no one would ever imagine Kolkata biryani being a stimulant, it is as it features all the fragrant ingredients believed to be aphrodisiacs.
How to whip up a cosy meal with your partner
Start off with a refreshing drink with flavours of chilli and lime Dig into an appetiser with seafood like prawns and pair it with chillies garlic and black pepperFor your main course, indulge in a spicy red meat curry and serve it with a saffron pilaf with dry fruits like almonds, cashews and raisinsEnd your meal on a sweet note with poached figs paired with vanilla white chocolate pudding and honey
Aphrodisiacs have their roots in Asia. They’re all about being indulgent. Explore luxe ingredients like saffron and the Kolkata biryani spotlights all spices & aromats perfectly – Chef Shaun Kenworthy
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