A Valentine’s Dinner for Two Inspired by the Greek God of Desire

Cupid gets all of the credit on Valentine’s Day. But let’s not forget his Greek counterpart, Eros—the god of love and sexual desire. As a chef known for my aphrodisiac cookbook, I believe the best way to honor Eros is with a romantic Greek-inspired dinner featuring scientifically proven aphrodisiac foods.

How to plan a romantic dinner at home inspired by the Greek god of sexual desire

Eros was worshiped as a fertility god and believed to be a contemporary of the primeval Chaos, which makes Eros one of the oldest gods. And so to me, nothing makes more sense than to create a romantic dinner at home from a menu of Greek recipes.

Eros, like Cupid of Roman mythology, is depicted as a young winged boy, with his bow and arrows poised to shoot into the heart of gods or mortals, rousing them to desire. Eros’ arrows were said to come in two types: golden with dove feathers that aroused love, or leaden arrows which had owl feathers that caused indifference. That’s why I call this dinner my Greek Golden Arrow menu.

What’s on this menu for this Valentine’s dinner for two?

Invite the Greek golden arrow into your Valentine’s Day or any romantic dinner with these Greek menu ideas celebrating Eros. Serve your darling this romantic menu including a trio of luscious, light Greek salads, all infused with ingredients noted as potent aphrodisiacs. And then choose your moment wisely to let it slip that this romantic dinner menu was inspired by the Greek god of sexual desire.

Why a menu of lighter fare, you might be wondering? Can a trio of salads really feed your hunger (or fuel sexual desire)? These dishes may not create a traditional three-course meal for two. But what they also won’t create is the sleepy fullness you sometimes get from eating a rich dinner. I believe that a Valentine’s Day dinner recipe should be easy to prepare and not too filling.

Light dishes, like the trio of nibbles I propose for this Greek dinner, will give you energy from nutrient-dense ingredients like bulghar and chickpeas. But because the meal is lower in fat than a traditional animal protein-based dinner, you won’t suffer the effects of your blood rushing to your stomach to digest heavier foods. (After all, you need your blood pumping with desire and sending just the right tingle to the erogenous zones. This is a dinner of seduction!)

Don’t forget to stir up a romantic cocktail – but don’t overserve yourself or your partner. My romantic cocktail for this Greek-themed dinner is called, of course, The Aphrodisiac. And it is potent with aphrodisiac pomegranate. But take note that although delicious, it is also potent with alcohol and overindulgence can impair performance in the bedroom.

The recipes: aphrodisiac-laced Greek favorites

Click the links to view each recipe.

• • Traditional Hummus – A great source of zinc (a mineral known to promote blood flow)
  • Roasted Eggplant Puree – Rich in nutrients known to support libido
  • Minted Bulgur Salad with Pine Nuts and Feta – Pine nuts have been used as a natural aphrodisiac for centuries, and bulgur is a source of fiber, protein and sex-boosting nutrients
  • The Aphrodisiac Cocktail – A seductive pomegranate drink (but sip in moderation—too much alcohol can dull performance)

If you like my recipes, please check out my cookbook, The Seduction Cookbook: Culinary Creations For Lovers.

How to make it even sexier

Ditch the utensils and turn this into a hands-on experience. Feed your partner a bite and bring this spirit of Eros to life. Savor the flavors and let the sensuality of the meal set the mood.

And while this menu is perfect for Valentine’s Day, an Eros-inspired dinner makes a surprise date night even more exciting. So whenever you use this romantic dinner menu, may the love arrow of Eros hit its mark!

This article was written in 2013 and most recently updated in February 2025 with new images, introduction and greater detail about the menu. 

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Diane Brown

Diane Brown is the author of The Seduction Cookbook: Culinary Creations For Lovers, (Innova Publishing 2005). She is a personal chef as well as a freelance food writer. Her work has appeared in publications including Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Sunset, Veggie Life, Chile Pepper and Wine Enthusiast. She has taught aphrodisiac cooking both in person and on tv and radio, including appearances on The Other Half, Fox News “Ask the Expert” and Leeza at Night. A champion of CSA's, Diane writes the blog Family Farm Box, where she showcases the use of local, fresh produce.

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