February has, since time immemorial, been the month dedicated to love. But what are the foods that actually help us nourish and stimulate this pleasant emotion? To respond, we must start from the engine of our affective drives: the heart. In the foreground we find dried fruit, especially almonds, walnuts and pistachios. These seeds are rich in arginine, an amino acid that is valuable for blood vessel health and blood pressure management. But that's not all: they also contain a significant amount of tryptophan, the precursor to serotonin, known to everyone as the hormone of good mood and pleasure.
To protect the cardiovascular system, citrus fruits and kiwis, which are rich in vitamin C, are a must. And since love requires energy, how can we not mention avocados? A true superfood, rich in folic acid and healthy fats, ideal for sustaining our passions.
We're talking about energy-giving foods that we can happily indulge in, taking advantage of the still cool February weather.
Finally, to give it an extra boost, here is His Majesty the chilli pepper: a vasotonic and aphrodisiac par excellence. Thanks to capsaicin (the substance responsible for its spiciness), it stimulates peripheral circulation and acts as a powerful antioxidant.
While every culture identifies its own foods of desire — from oysters to ginseng — today we are featuring a delicious, healthy and, of course, sweet recipe!
CHOCOLATE AND AVOCADO MOUSSE
Ingredients for 2 people:
- 1 large ripe avocado
- 40-60g extra dark chocolate (at least 70-85% cocoa)
- 10g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1-2 tablespoons sweetener of your choice (maple syrup, honey or agave)
- A pinch of chilli powder (optional, for a stimulating effect)
- Chopped pistachios for decoration
PREPARATION:
Melt the dark chocolate in a bain-marie or in the microwave (in short bursts to avoid burning it).
Scoop out the flesh from the ripe avocado and place it in a blender. Blend until you have a completely smooth cream with no lumps.
Add the melted chocolate, cocoa powder, sweetener of your choice and a pinch of chilli pepper to the mixer. Blend for a few more moments until the mixture is smooth and shiny.
Pour the mousse into two small bowls and leave to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Before serving, decorate with a handful of chopped pistachios to add a crunchy touch.
(Article by Dr Paolo Gallo)
