Long before Laura Esquivel penned Like Water for Chocolate, foods have been used to express feelings. In Esquivel's tale, circumstances prevented the lead characters, Tita and Pedro, from joining together as lovers. From this sense of longing, Tita created sumptuous meals that served as the conduit through which they shared their feelings for one another. Esquivel's story of this turn-of-the-century couple may be fictional, but the concept of aphrodisiac cooking is most definitely not.

The European Gastronomy Site details the history of aphrodisiac cooking, complete with stories of love potions from the temples of Eros, Aphrodite and Dionysus. This site helps bring to life the almost magical effect of otherwise standard fare. It goes on to include some sensual recipes plus references to quite a few titles devoted to aphrodisiac cooking.

If you're more interested in the food than the history, you might want to visit the Valentine Foods of Love. Here you will find a mixture of sweet and savory concoctions designed to put you (and your lover) in the mood such as Oyster Martinis with Beluga Caviar, Figs with Thyme Honey and Gorgonzola Toasts or Chocolate Amaretto Torte. Definitely a great place to stop for last minute romantic meal inspirations!