5 recipes to spice up your summer
Written by Our Editorial Team
Updated 15/08/2024
5 recipes to ‘Spice up your Summer’
It’s well documented that select foods can play a role in boosting libido - think aphrodisiacs oysters, chocolate, asparagus! Yet one area of nutrition often overlooked in its powers to enhance sexual health are the spices that flavour our foods.
We’ve partnered with wellness expert and renowned nutritionist Sophie Trotman who has created five summer recipes designed to incorporate libido-boosting spices into your diet to quite literally, spice up your summer.
Sophie's `5 Recipes to Spice Up Your Summer` Include:
1. Cinnamon-Spiced Almonds
Ingredients
2 cups of raw almonds
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp honey
Pinch of Sea salt
Method
Preheat the oven to 180ºC.
Toss almonds with coconut oil, cinnamon, honey, and sea salt.
Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Let cool and enjoy.
Why Cinnamon?
Cinnamon is known for its ability to improve blood flow, which can enhance sexual arousal. Almonds are rich in zinc, which plays a crucial role in the production of sex hormones such as testosterone, and magnesium, which helps to reduce stress and anxiety, which can be barriers to a healthy sex drive.
2. Spicy Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
2 large sweet potatoes, cut into chips
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp cayenne pepper
Sea salt, to taste
Method
Preheat the oven to 200ºC.
Toss sweet potato fries with olive oil, paprika, cayenne pepper, and sea salt.
Spread evenly on a baking sheet and bake, flipping halfway through.
Why paprika and Cayenne pepper?
Paprika and cayenne pepper contain capsaicin, which can stimulate endorphin production, enhancing mood and increasing sexual desire. These spices add a fiery kick to the fries, making them both delicious and libido-enhancing. The complex carbohydrates in sweet potatoes provide a steady energy source, which can be beneficial for prolonged sexual activity.
3. Iced Cinnamon and Clove Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
2 cups milk (or plant-based milk)
2 tbsp cocoa powder
100g dark chocolate
1 tbsp honey 1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Ice cubes
Method
In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
Whisk in the cocoa powder, dark chocolate, honey, cinnamon, and cloves.
Stir until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold.
Serve over ice.
Why cloves?
Cloves contain a compound called eugenol, which can widen blood vessels and enhance blood flow and is beneficial for achieving and maintaining an erection. Cinnamon can also support blood flow. The magnesium in the dark chocolate can help to lower stress levels, which is beneficial for sexual desire and performance.
4. Spicy Chili Lime Salmon
Ingredients
2 salmon fillets
1 tbsp olive oil
Lime juice
Lime zest
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp chilli powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley or coriander, for garnish
Method
Preheat your oven to 200°C.
In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, ground cumin, paprika and chilli powder.
Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish and season with salt and pepper.
Spread the chilli lime mixture over the salmon fillets, ensuring they are well coated.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
Garnish with fresh parsley or coriander before serving.
Why chilli powder and cumin?
Chilli powder and cumin can stimulate circulation and increase body heat, both of which can enhance arousal and sexual excitement. Salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and protein, all of which are beneficial for male sexual arousal.
5. Moroccan Spiced Chicken
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp ground coriander
1 tbsp paprika
½ tbsp ground turmeric
½ tbsp ground ginger
¼ tbsp ground cloves
¼ tbsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra spice)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh coriander, for garnish
Method
In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, ground turmeric, ground ginger, ground cloves, cayenne pepper (if using), minced garlic, and lemon juice.
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then marinate them in the Moroccan spice mixture for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
Grill the chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked.
Garnish with fresh coriander before serving.
Why Moroccan spices?
Ginger can help to improve blood flow and circulation, which are essential for achieving and maintaining erections. Cumin, coriander and ginger are all rich in antioxidants, which help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, promoting overall health and vitality, which contributes to increased sexual desire and performance.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.