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Ingredients

  • Olive oil (in the Mediterranean, olives and their oil have always been considered an aphrodisiac)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (onions are widely believed to be a powerful aphrodisiac)
  • 2-4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped (thought to increase blood flow and enhance fertility)
  • 1 fresh red chilli, finely chopped, with seeds (capcascin can enhance bodily sensations and blood flow)
  • 1/4 tsp fennel seeds (enhances libido and maintains sexual drive in both men and women)
  • 1/4 tsp cumin seeds (in the Middle Ages in Europe, cumin became a symbol of love and loyalty)
  • 1/4 tsp ground cumin (a popular aphrodisiac in Middle-Eastern and Indian culture)
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp hot chilli powder, to taste (chillis also boost endorphins & the pleasure hormone, dopamine)
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (often considered a natural remedy for enhancing sexual desire)
  • 500g steak mince (studies at the University of Texas suggest that lean red meat boosts dopamine and norepinephrine levels, increasing libido)
  • tin kidney beans, drained but not rinsed (beans have been linked with sexuality since at least the Renaissance)
  • tin chopped tomatoes (The French called the tomato the pomme d'amour, or the Love Apple, for their belief that the tomato had aphrodisiac powers)
  • 150ml red wine (Alcohol stimulates the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates the sex drive)
  • 1 TBSP dark cocoa powder or raw cacao (chocolate, perhaps the most famous aphrodisiac of all)
  • 1 avocado, smashed with olive oil, to serve (The Aztecs were the first ones to link the avocado to passion)
  • grilled asparagus, to serve (famously believed to be an aphrodisiac)
  • chopped fresh coriander, to serve (referenced in the Arabian “Thousand and one Nights” it would conjure the power of love and romance)
  • OR Parsley, if you don't like coriander (parsley and its seeds are said to stimulate the sexual glands!)
  • Greek yoghurt, to serve (traditionally given to Greek newlyweds)
  • 2 beef stock cubes
  • salt & pepper to season
  • Fresh lime, to serve (lime, along with other citrus fruits, is a great testosterone boosting food)

Method

  • Prep: 30 mins
  • Cook: 2-3 hours
  • Serves 4

Step 1

Heat a few glugs of olive oil in a heavy bottomed pot with a fitted lid. add the onion, garlic and fresh chilli and sauté on a low-medium heat until softened and slightly translucent. Tip in all your dry spices and continue to sauté while stirring gently so that nothing burns or sticks. The kitchen will start to smell fabulous!

Step 2

Add in your steak mince and turn up the heat. let the meat brown before turning with your spoon/spatula. Ensure the meat is fully browned and the veg and spices are all mixed in.

Add your tinned tomatoes and drained kidney beans – don’t rinse the beans, there is nothing bad in the bean water, and in fact it is high in protein and will help to thicken your stew!

Step 3

Now crumble the stock cubes into the tomato tin and fill half way with boiling water to create a stock. Add your stock and red wine to the stew and stir to combine.

Next, sprinkle in your dark chocolate powder and stir to combine.

Put your chilli on a low heat and place the lid on. Let it cook for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent burning or sticking. The longer you leave it, the thicker and more flavourful it will be!

Step 4

Serve on a bed of steamed rice, or try our Triple Cooked Chips recipe to really push the boat out!

Accompany with grilled asparagus, smashed avocado, and a dollop of greek yoghurt. Sprinkle with plenty of freshly chopped coriander or parsley. Add a good squeeze of fresh lime over everything, and a wedge of lime to serve.

Absolutely delicious! Warming, comforting, full of flavour. A perfect way to show someone you love them.

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