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Amorous Aphrodisiacs: Banana and Coffee Cake with Honey and Berry Compote

Forget the big cards, the over-priced red roses and the teddy bears, woo your Valentine with some home-cooked ‘lurve’ food this year.

Top chef Paul Montgomery from De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland gives some top tips on romancing your valentine with a few subtle aphrodisiacs.

Aphrodisiacs – the fruity facts• Bananas are rich in potassium and vitamin B – great for boosting male performance!• Coffee provides a caffeine hit that is said to improve the love life. If your libido’s flagging, try a quick shot of espresso as a stimulant • Honey is also considered as an aphrodisiac and helps sustain high energy levels. It is cited in the Kama Sutra and in Egyptian times many medicines were based on honey including cures for sterility and impotence• Not only are they the perfect shape for Valentine’s Day, but strawberries are also packed with unusual phytonutrients that contain exceptionally high levels of passion-boosting zinc. Strawberries have long been considered an aphrodisiac and in provincial France they were regarded so effective that newlyweds were always served a cold strawberry soup.Paul has taken these amorous ingredients to create a romantic dessert to share with your loved one.

**Ingredients to serve four:**375 grams of ripe bananas375 grams of caster sugarTwo whole eggs90 grams of butter (unsalted)25 grams baking powder390 grams plain flourThree - four teaspoons of coffee powder

Method1. Cream butter and sugar together until white and then add the coffee to the bananas, crush and mix well3. Add the banana mix to the creamed butter and blend together, then add eggs and mix thoroughly4. Sieve the plain flour and baking powder and beat with the rest of the mixture for three to four minutes5. Place in a non-stick cake tin and cook for approx 60 minutes at 170 degrees celsius/ gas mark four6. To check the cake is cooked thoroughly, gently place a thin, dry skewer or knife in the centre. If it is dry when you take it out, the cake is cooked but if not it will need a little longer 7. The cake can be served hot or cold8. To make the raspberry and strawberry compote, take one punnet of fresh strawberries and raspberries. Quarter the strawberries and mix well with the raspberries then drizzle with lots of honey. P

aul’s top tip: “A perfect accompaniment to this dessert and a firm favourite amongst couples is pralines and cream ice cream. “Choose one plate for two people to share and enjoy the romance with a delicious dessert wine such as Torcolato - an Italian sweetie. This white is made from half-dried berries, and it offers some delicious honey and tropical fruitiness with an underlying hint of cherries.“Sample some romance and some of Paul’s sumptuous creations this Valentine’s week (Friday 10th – Saturday 18th) at De Vere Slaley Hall with a four-course meal and free glass of Champagne for £39 per person.

For more information about at De Vere Slaley Hall, please call (01434) 673 350 or visit www.devereonline.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .