"Intercourses -- an Aphrodisiac Cookbook" by Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge is a must-read for those of you struck by Cupid. Or those of you, like me, who just like to look at pictures of food.
-- some girl named Amy about her husband, Steve
I don't blame you, Amy. Not surprisingly, I am ALL about people who bring me food, especially if it accompanies tortilla chips. Who's Ruben Blades, though?
Anyway, that sweet little quote came from "Intercourses -- an Aphrodisiac Cookbook" ($24.95, Terrace), which food writer Nicole Marshall Middleton loaned me for a day -- and, of course, I've kept for two weeks. Oopsie.
I used the book a while back for a story on edible aphrodisiacs, similar to one I wrote for Saturday's Scene section. For it, I scored a few recipes from the Cheese Wench herself, Amanda Simcoe, as well as one or two from Hillcrest dietician Cassie Wrich.
As I didn't have room to include one of my favorite recipes from the book in this weekend's article, I thought I'd share it with you now.
Billed as "warm and sensuous," this dessert of wine-soaked cherries and pears lives up to that description and fittingly serves two. The writers even advise it can be used ... Well, let's just say "creatively." Personally, I just eat the dang thing and pretend it just serves 1.
Wine-Soaked Cherries and Pears over Pound Cake
1/2 cup red wine (the better the wine, the better the dish)
1/2 cup sugar
Zest of 1/2 lemon
3/4 pound cherries, pitted
2 pears, peeled and sliced
2 thick slices pound cake
Softened butter to eat while you're cooking (kidding -- it's to taste in the dish)
Whipped cream for topping or whatever you feel like using it for, I imagine
1. Combine the wine, sugar and lemon rind in a medium saucepan. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
2. Stir in the cherries. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the pears, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
3. Spread the pound cake with butter, and toast to a golden brown. Generously spoon with fruit and juices over the cake. Serve warm, topped with a dollop of whipped cream.
If you want a copy of this book, and you have trouble finding it in stores, ask your favorite book seller about "The New Intercourses," a 10th anniversary edition of the original.
Peace, love and things soaked in wine ... XOXO
