“What’s on the menu?” Roque asked. His head slightly aside – the ‘menu’ had a number of connotations…
Wanda was planning a totally seductive evening – a night of passion with a menu to win Roque’s heart among other essential parts! (Although she really had them already…) but she thought the chase can sometimes be better than the catch.
The Seductive Dinner menu consisted of drinks of course, foreplay by way of a starter, the main event, although she planned that for a little after dark, his just dessert and some fine champagne.
On her menu was what she would wear, how she would turn an everyday room into a seductress’s boudoir, what music she would choose to dance with him, should it be all candlelight or just soft tones of lighting?
As a couple they had never been complacent. Roque always said if he didn’t go to work every day with high intentions there would be no international wine company – his philosophy reflected in their relationship. Every day was a gift and he would always cherish his Wanda as she did him.
Seductive Dinner Menu
The seductive dinner menu scene was set –
Time to pour two glasses of Pedro Ximénez sherry. Sweet, dark and romantic and tasting of Christmas pudding.
The theme was red for passion, skewers for sharing and lots of aphrodisiacs.
All served on the coffee table seated on the floor in front of a log fire.
Starters – foreplay
Avocado Crab
Into a bowl put 1 large ripe avocado, stoned, peeled & chopped into bite sized chunks. Season with salt, plenty of freshly ground black pepper & the juice from ½ a lime. Toss well to coat the avocado & keep it fresh.
Take 1 small dressed crab & scoop out the crabmeat (keeping the shell) into the avocado mix & gently turn it all to blend together.
Empty 200ml of crème fraiche into another bowl & add the juice from the other half of the lime, 2 tspn chopped dill, 1 red chilli, finely diced & ½ tspn caster sugar. Mix together well & then tip this into the empty shell.
Serve the crab shell in the centre surrounded by Chinese spoons of crab & avocado. Garnish with wisps of dill, wedges of lime, coriander & rocket.
Jezebel the temptress
Wanda decided to wear exactly what Roque liked, a white shirt tied just below her breasts concealing her Jezebel Women’s Demure Bra in tango red leaving a bare midriff, a short red pleated skirt and high heeled gold sandals.
The fable of Jezebel tells how she was a Phoenician Princess and Queen of Israel as the wife of Ahab. Jezebel is understood to have been a scheming, wicked and reckless woman always seeking attention – sounds like fun!
Tonight she would be his Jezebel!
Candle light supper
They would be eating sitting on big cushions on the floor, so the room had to be low light and scented. She would wear Carolina Herrera Good Girl, a perfume that drove him mad with desire, wafted from a black and gold stiletto shoe. She would place Yankee vanilla candles around the room and on the coffee table. Vanilla is believed to be a strong aphrodisiac and to ‘stimulate the sexual prosperities.’ and is particularly effective to men.
She filled a vase with red tulips and placed it among the candles.
Time to poke the fire of passion…
The main Event
Steak Skewers with melted Stilton
Cut length ways 2 long red bull horn sweet red pepper (corno di toro). Brush with olive oil & season with salt & pepper. Heat a griddle pan on high & char the peppers on both sides. Keep warm while you prepare the meat.
Cut 2 x 6oz fillet steaks into roughly 3cm cubes & thread the steak onto 4 small skewers. Season with salt & griddle the skewers on a high heat, turning carefully to seal all sides. Cook for 3-4 minutes for rare, 5-6 minutes for medium.
In a small bowl melt 150g Stilton in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Arrange some crispy green lettuce & radicchio lettuce both roughly torn on a suitable platter. Lay the 4 halves of pepper on top & place a steak skewer in each. Drizzle the skewers with melted Stilton & serve. The cheese will undoubtedly drip down your chin so somebody will have to lick it off!
French Kiss
She had decided to record some special music.
The first, Ellie Goulding singing ‘How long will I love you?’.
Then ‘Take my hand and lead you where you will’ by Joan Armatrading.
‘Love to love you baby’ sung by Donna Summer.
Vanessa Mae playing ‘storm’ on her violin (with a bare mid-riff).
‘I’m in the mood for love’ by Louis Armstrong and ‘French Kiss’ by Lil Louis from Honesty 69.
Just desserts
Champagne Truffle Chocolate Fondue
Melt 10 chocolate champagne truffles in a small chocolate fondue set bowl.
Arrange 2 handfuls of strawberries & 2 handfuls of marshmallows around the fondue put.
Dip the strawberries & marshmallows alternately into the melted chocolate using fondue forks & feed each other.
Each delicious strawberry savoured with a chilled sip of Taittinger Prestige Rosé champagne.
