The Foodology Collective

In case you haven’t been to any store lately, Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. The plethora of candy, hearts, stuffed animals, jewlery and flowers is overwhelming. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably gotten pretty bored with these choices a long time ago (No, I am not saying that I don’t eat sweets like it’s my job). Plus, with the current trying economic times, it seems like a good idea to buy a gift that would be both beautiful and tasty. So why not try something new? Try giving the gift of meat.

Below you will find a list of meat-based choices to give to your lover. I am using the term “meat” rather loosely to encompass any sort of animal tissue used as food. To further the romance, I recommend that you just give the gift of meat and then decide together how to eat it. I’ve always been an advocate of cooking together as a way to bring people closer.

7. Steak

This choice is classic. Steak is extremely versatile and you can use it in virtually any type of cuisine. If you can’t be together on February 14^th, there are a number of companies which will package and send you steak to enjoy anywhere in the United States. (Hint: You can find Kansas City Steak Company coupons here)

6. Bison

Bison meat is another name for buffalo meat. The two names are interchangeable for a large, four-legged, horned ruminant, usually brown in color, and similar to an ox/cow. Bison meat is very lean and has become quite popular. Personally, I find hamburgers made with bison meat to be extremely tasty.

5. Lobster

This is another classic. I have been told that lobster has aphrodisiac qualities; however, I think this is a function of its luxury rather than a biological process. In any case, eating (and cooking) lobster is definitely an enjoyable experience. (Hint: Lobsters aren’t available everywhere at all times. You can find Lobster Gram coupons here).

4. Sausage

It might seem sacrilegious, but I have lumped all types of sausage into this one category. In fact, I could probably make a whole list consisting of different types of sausage. These tasty results of economical butchery come in a dizzying array of forms and styles. Choose your favorite and go.

3. Oysters

These bivalve mollusks are great raw or in a number of cooked preparations. Like lobsters, oysters are considered to be an aphrodesiac: however, since they only consist of water, protein and carbohydrates and very little, sugar and minerals, it is probably more of a psychological effect. If nothing else, please make sure you get them as fresh as possible from a reputable seller.

2. Bacon

It’s bacon. Enough said.

1. Iberian Ham

This is probably the ultimate in cured ham right now seeming as the first true jamones ibéricos were only released for sale in the United States in December, 2007. Made only in Spain from at least 75% of the cerdo negro (black pig), this would be the ultimate gift for any food lover. The Black Iberian Pig is the only breed of pig that actively seeks and eats acorns resulting in an incredible ham.

Of course, not every eats meat, which I can understand. There are also traditionalists who want to give/receive chocolate and flowers (Hint: to save some cash you can find Teleflora coupons and Chocolate Source coupons here. Or you could splurge on jewelry by using Diamond.com coupons or Ice.com coupons) and that’s ok. In my case, I hope that special someone gives me a pound of Iberian Ham to enjoy this Valentine’s Day.