Forget oysters and chocolate covered strawberries - a hot CURRY gets Brits in the mood

NEWS RELEASE

Forget oysters and chocolate covered strawberries - if you are planning a night of passion with your other half, you are better off cooking a CURRY, according to new research.

According to a poll of the nation’s couples, a juicy steak (35 percent), a roast dinner (22 percent) and a spicy curry (17 percent) are the top three meals most likely to lead to a night of passion.

In fact, only one in twenty adults ever serve the traditional aphrodisiac of oysters for a romantic meal, but fish does remain a popular choice, with salmon (15 percent), seabass (12 percent) and scallops (11 percent) all common choices for a romantic evening.

Surprisingly, the carb heavy Italian dish Lasagne also emerged among the top meals for 13 percent of lovers - as did risotto (10 percent) and beef bourguignon (9 percent).

The poll of almost 2,000 adults by Hello Fresh revealed two thirds of women STILL firmly believe in the old adage that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach – as opposed to just 34 percent of men who think they can cook their way into the bedroom.

Overall, four in ten of those polled (41 percent) said cooking their partner’s favourite meal is the best route to intimacy – with half claiming a really spicy dish OFTEN leads to a night of passion.

Seven in ten also preferred being cooked for on a date night opposed to being taken out for dinner to a restaurant.

A savvy 21 percent said it was much cheaper, one in ten said it saved the hassle of booking a babysitter and 13 percent moaned that eateries are full of cringeworthy couples around Valentine’s Day.

Nearly a quarter said you can be much more tactile with each other if you are dining at home – while a hopeful 17 percent prefer eating at home, so they can ‘move things upstairs’.

Patrick Drake, Co-Founder and Head Chef at HelloFresh said: “We believe that food and love go hand-in-hand at any time of the year, so it’s no surprise that seven in ten people prefer being cooked for on a date night, rather than being taken out for dinner.

“When it comes to food to get you in the mood, forget fancy delicacies - it’s the good old British classics that are the clear winners.”

“Our HelloFresh recipe boxes are a great solution for Valentine’s cooks looking to impress without stress. A box of quality ingredients delivered to your door can help to take the pressure off, giving you more quality time together. The way to a partner’s heart really is through their stomach.”

According to the poll, an ever-hopeful 35 percent of men are planning to seduce their other half with their culinary skills this Valentine’s Day - as opposed to only a quarter (25 percent) women.

Red wine was named the drink of choice for a romantic night in, followed by champagne and prosecco.

But snails are definitely off the menu as 47 percent of Brits said the French delicacy was a definite no-no for a romantic night in.

Over a quarter said you should never present burgers to your partner or spouse and 12 percent said spaghetti should be avoided.

One in five said spinach should never be served due to getting stuck in your teeth and 37 percent said the strong smell meant garlic bread was off limits.

Of those surveyed, 22 percent said a romantic evening in had gone wrong – with the biggest complaint being that both parties ate far too much.

14 percent had a row, 13 percent moaned the food was burnt and 12 percent said their partner fell asleep.

MEALS MOST LIKELY TO LEAD TO A NIGHT OF PASSION (ACCORDING TO BRITISH COUPLES)

1. A juicy steak (35 percent)
2. A roast (22 percent)
3. A spicy curry (17 percent)
4. Salmon (15 percent)
5. Profiteroles (14 percent)
6. Lasagne (13 percent)
7. Seabass (12 percent)
8. Scallops (11 percent)
9. Risotto (10 percent)
10. A cheese board (9 percent)
11. Beef bourguignon (9 percent)
12. Chilli con carne (9 percent)
13. Seafood linguine (9 percent)
14. Mussels (8 percent)
15. Paella (7 percent)
16. Buttered asparagus (7 percent)
17. Oysters (6 percent)
18. Chilli (5 percent)
19. Figs and goats cheese (5 percent)
20. Coq au vin (5 percent)


ENDS

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