From time immemorial, people all over the world have thought some foods to have certain powers... powers to stir feelings of love and lust. Probably the most familiar, chocolate, was considered an aphrodisiac by the ancient Aztec king Montezuma who drank fifty goblets of chocolate (unsweetened) per day. Recent studies show that chocolate is rich in phenylethylamine, a chemical made by our brains when we fall in love. Other foods thought to be aphrodisiacs don't have scientific studies to prove their efficacy-- but are popularly thought to be so.

Avocados
Asparagus
Caviar
Celery
Cherries
Chocolate
Dates
Figs
Grapes
Oysters
Pine Nuts
Strawberries

Angelica
Chili
Clove
Coriander
Fennel
Ginger
Ginseng
Horseradish
Mushrooms
Mustard
Nutmeg
Oregano
Rosemary
Saffron
Sarsaparilla
Thyme
Truffles
Vanilla
Verbena

Oysters are said to be an aphrodisiac for men, but this recipe is one you'll both love!

Makes six servings.

3 cups rice, cooked
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
4 Tablespoons vegetable oil
2 dozen oysters, shucked
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons curry powder
salt and pepper to taste
4 Tablespoons flour
1 cup crab meat, cooked and flaked

Oil a timbale shell or ring mold and press hot rice into mold. Cook onion and garlic in vegetable oil over medium heat until soft and translucent. Reduce heat to low and cook oysters until plump and their edges begin to curl. Drain, reserving liquid. Heat the milk in a small saucepan. Add the curry powder, salt, pepper, and flour into the onion mixture. Add the hot milk and the liquid from the oysters. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Add oysters and crab meat. Heat just to boiling. Serve with rice.

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Baked Stuffed Avocado

Avocados have a smooth, lush texture, with a mild nutty flavor. It's name comes from ahuacatl, the Nahuatl word for "testicle", referring to the fruit's shape. Many foods that are shaped like organs of the body are thought to be aphrodisiac, and the avocado is no exception.

Makes six servings.

3 large avocados
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
4 Tablespoons butter
6 Tablespoons flour
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup celery, sliced and cooked
1/4 cup pimiento, minced
1 cup shrimp, boiled
2/3 cup cheese, grated American

Cut avocados lengthwise into halves, and peel. Sprinkle with lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Melt butter and stir in flour. Add remaining salt, pepper, and milk, and cook until thickened; stirring constantly. Add celery, pimiento, and shrimp. Fill avocados with shrimp mixture and cover with grated cheese. Place in a baking dish and pour in water to 1/2-inch depth. Bake in 350 degree F. oven for fifteen minutes.

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Fig Turnovers

Fresh figs were thought to be sacred by ancient peoples. Their succulent flesh certainly leaves no doubt as to why they're thought to be aphrodisiacs.

Makes 8 to 10 fig turnovers.

1 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon flour
1/2 cup water and fig juice
1 Tablespoon butter
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 Tablespoons grated lemon rind
1 cup canned figs, chopped
pastry dough

Combine all ingredients (except pastry dough) and cook slowly over low heat until thickened. Cool. Roll out pastry and cut into 4-inch circles. Place a tablespoon of fig mixture on half of each circle, moisten edges, and fold over, sealing edges. Prick top of each fig turnover with a fork. Bake at 450 degrees F. for fifteen minutes.

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