A Paleo Valentine’s Dinner

About.com had a nice little summary of the history and traditions of Valentine’s Day; a few bits of trivia include:

• The story of Valentine, a physician also said to be a gastronomist, who made his medicines more palatable by mixing them with herbs, spices, honey, and wine. 
• Other historians believe the holiday derives from the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on February 15. This was a fertility celebration of the Roman god Faunus, the god of flocks and fertility, to ensure fertility and easy births by the women of the community.
• Food plays a major part in the celebration of this holiday. Chocolates are a traditional favorite but other foods are also love triggers.

So there we have it: food, love, fertility…sounds like three easy things to keep in mind when planning a romantic Paleo meal!

Foods often thought of as being aphrodisiacs can fit nicely into your menu include:

• Asparagus
• Almonds
• Avocado
• Banana
• Basil
• Chocolate
• Figs 
• Garlic
• Oysters

Bearing these factors in mind, I’d prepare something along the lines of:

• A single Oyster
• Chilled Asparagus Starter with Shaved Black Truffles (in season Dec – March, so we’re in luck!).
• Arugula Salad with Avocado, Basil, Dried Figs (not in season, unfortunately)
• Rare, Grass Fed Bone in Rib-Eye on Sauteed Kale with Garlic (I wouldn’t be Paleoista if I didn’t throw some kale in!)
• Frozen Banana with Raw, Fair Trade, Organic Chocolate

Who ever said Paleo had to be restrictive and couldn’t be decadent has a lot to learn!

Oh, where is my head?  Wine!  Wine!  Let there be Cab!