InterCourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Forget Spanish fly or powdered rhino horn; if you want to get your lover in the mood, look no farther than your local supermarket. Strawberries, chocolate, asparagus--even coffee--have long been considered stimulants for the romantic appetite. For centuries, folk wisdom held that foods either rare or resembling a sexual organ had tremendous power over the libido. Modern science has since debunked that theory, but there's no denying that a meal lovingly prepared and properly presented with just the right ambience can precipitate the most passionate encounters. In Intercourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook, Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge appeal to all the senses as they offer up 85 heart-melting, temperature-raising dishes, along with an array of sensuous photographs that will make you look at food in a whole new light.

The book is divided into 17 sections, each one devoted to a particular food with aphrodisiac qualities, from chocolate and chilies to black beans and oysters. Following these are recipes for massage oils, seasonal dishes, and meals to appeal to every astrological sign and every stage of a relationship, from first date to golden anniversary. There's even a list of resources on subjects ranging from further reading on aphrodisiacs to locating aromatherapy candles. Just reading Intercourses is a sensual experience--imagine what eating from it will be!

From Publishers Weekly

While the jury's out on which foods, if any, are true aphrodisiacs, the authors contend that "anyone who has served an elaborate candlelit meal, painstakingly prepared with love, knows the potential power of food." The newly expanded and revised edition of this 1997 cookbook features a bevy of recipes that may win the heart of that special someone. Ranging from simple Strawberries Drenched in Honeyed Cream to the more elaborate Orange Blossom Panna Cotta and Grilled Vietnamese Gingered Beef Rolls, lovers of all stripes are sure to discover a new favorite. They'll also find winning variations of resilient standbys, such as classic raw oysters dressed up in a sexy Thai Chile Mignonette. Organized by featured ingredient (including chocolate, artichokes, rosemary and even edible flowers), recipes are straightforward, and virtually all the ingredients can be found at a well-stocked grocery (though the authors include sources for rarer ingredients like artisan chocolates and Middle Eastern specialties). Most dishes include comments from couples who tested the recipes, adding to the dishes' allure and fostering the book's romantic sensibility. Highlighted with elegant photography (of models and food, not dishes), this will make a thoughtful gift for couples at any stage of a relationship.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Terrace Publishing; illustrated edition edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965327507
• ISBN-13: 978-0965327503
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #416,232 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, sexy, tasteful, and tasty too!, January 10, 2000

By A Customer

This is one of my favorite cookbooks, both for the recipes and the gorgeous photos. The black bean, chicken and asparagus enchiladas and the french toast are perfect do-ahead ahead dishes for when you want to spend time with your sweetie instead of in the kitchen; I've made both ahead of time and popped them in the oven at the last minute, with great success (and yes, the foods do work...at least in my experience!). The photos are very sexy, but very tasteful. I especially liked the stories from couples who tested the recipes. This would make a great bridal shower gift.

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Culinary Seduction!, January 15, 2001

By	Rebecca Johnson "SeasonedwithLove.com" (Washington State) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

From the deliciously entertaining text to the tantalizing recipes, you will be seduced into reading this cookbook. There are 85 couple-tested recipes, humorous notes to make you smile and even suggestions for music selections with dinner.

Chocolate, asparagus, chiles, coffee, basil, grapes, strawberries, honey, artichokes, black beans, oysters, rosemary, edible flowers, pine nuts, avocados and figs are all displayed on the body in a tasteful way. Yes, the models are only wearing food!

The comments by couples who tested the recipes are perhaps the most personal part of the book. The words melt into the pages so easily and effortlessly. The sumptuous collection of recipes are erotic, inspirational and enticing. The recipes may encourage a playful, erotic, sensual or romantic response.

The "chocolate fig bundles" recipe looked tempting, so I set out to make them. The satiny sheets of phyllo pastry smothered in butter told me one thing, these were going to be heavenly. I filled figs with the almond/chocolate mixture and wrapped them up snuggly in the pastry. They only took 13 minutes to bake.

To serve these heady treats, I piped the whip cream into five little hearts all around the two dinner plates. I used sliced almonds mixed with more grated chocolate, confectioners' sugar and colored sugar to sprinkle over the whipped cream. The pastries were set in the middle of the hearts and served while still warm. I also drizzled these pastries with a little honey. My husband didn't leave a crumb!

For those interested in taking things a bit further than cooking, there is a section on recommended reading, advice on selecting aromatherapy candles, sources for edible massage oils and information on how to make specific stages of any relationship into a reason to cook up something satisfying. If you are still hungering for more information, you can explore the list of books and food Web sites included for your pleasure.

You will want to try the "chocolate hazelnut truffles," asparagus frittata," "honey-peppered salmon," "espresso cream," "grilled scallops with basil and lavender essence," "grape sorbet," and "Cornish hens with strawberry glaze."

After reading this cookbook, I seriously doubt that you will ever view the grocery store in the same way. As you walk down the coffee isle, you will inhale the intoxicating aromatic coffee bean aroma deeply with your eyes closed. Intercourses will make you more aware of the sensual pleasures of food. Purchase this book for the one you love, for those you know are in love and for those you want to fall in love. All I have to say is: "Yes, Yes, Yes.....buy this book and share it with someone you love!" This is a book for the kitchen, coffee table and for reading in bed, preferably with someone you love.

~The Rebecca Review

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Lusciously Delicious Cookbook !, January 9, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

I bought the book for my man and WOW! I practically drooled all over the book as he told me what the recipes were...... Strawberry White Chocolate Truffles..? Divine foods were in this book. They had recipes for everthing from Asparagus, Avocado, and Pine Nuts. Fruits, Veggies....... anything you can think of. The pictures were subtly erotic..... nudes with a torso of Oysters, hands in Honey, and even a pair of legs holding a Champagne bottle. There are even little excerpts from others who have used the book. And this is NOT only for purposes of making love. The recipes can be used for dinner parties with family, friends, or even a dish for the office party. This book is good not only to spice up your "love" life, but can add zing to your social life, because your friends will be dying to know where you got the recipe! Just think of the conversations this would start! So buy the book, go grocery shopping, and pamper yourself with good eating, with or without significant other.