Aphrodisiac Valentine's Day Menu

Sometimes, a successful Valentine's Day is literally in the bag - your grocery bag that is!

Aphrodisiacs are foods, drinks, scents and behaviors that have a reputation for encouraging and enhancing sex. Here, we've rounded up a few facts surrounding the mystery of aphrodsiaics in hopes it will inspire a romantic evening at home for you and your love this Valentine's Day.

In addition to filling your night with aphrodisiacs, be sure to consider these tips to ensure a successful rendezvous at home:

An intoxicating invitation in the form of a rose is sure to set the modd. Place a rose on your sweetie's pillow, the front seat of the car or even on a breakfast plate, with a romantic invitation for dinner for two at home a few days before Valentine's Day. Be specific about the time.

Don't forget the setting! Aphrodisiacs enhance and encourage - they don't do the work! Make sure you set up a table for two in a different room other than the kitchen and dining room, like the den in front of the fireplace or in the bedroom. This will guarantee a memorable evening.

Set the table with your best china and lots of candles for soft lighting. Make sure that you have romantic music playing in the background as soon as your mate arrives.

Get prepwork done ahead time. In order to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your lover, try to prepare dishes ahead of time.

For example, if you are going to be serving a salad, then clean your lettuce, chop up all of the vegetables and fruits and prepare your vinaigrette ahead of time. Do this for the main entree and dessert as well.

Check out these aphrodisiac scents, ingredients and recipes to make sure your meal is romantically-optimized!