Feast on love: Great dates put the ‘coo’ in cooking

There is nothing sexier than cooking.

Not the lightly scented nape of your lover’s neck or a shapely stiletto.

Not worn, well-fitting blue jeans or candlelight so kind that almost anyone could look good in it.

Not Norah Jones. Not Barry White.

Nothing.

So if you want to seduce someone new, or spice up something you’ve already got simmering, stash the perfume and kick off those high heels.

It’s time you got cooking.

Your mother was right: Men love a woman who cooks for them. But in my experience, the only men worth keeping around are the men who enjoy cooking with you, men who revel in a woman’s appetite and can appreciate slow, slow burn.

A great cooking date starts in the produce aisle. I know what you are thinking: There’s nothing sexy about broccoli. However, there is something seductive about wandering among nature’s bounty with your amore, testing the tomatoes for firmness and snapping the sugar peas for freshness. The basics to gather among the greens are leafy, deeply hued lettuce, tomatoes on the vine, a colorful variety of peppers, fragrant herbs and lots of garlic. If you don’t find garlic alluring, then you’ve never had the pleasure of having a man named Luigi cook for you.

Next, you’ll need cheese. High-quality fromage can be a sublime appetizer. After all, cheese is a staple of both French and Italian cuisine, and we all know how damn sexy they are. Try rich, creamy brie or fresh mozzarella.

For the main course, browse the butcher’s for something lean, juicy and fresh. If you prefer something vegetarian, portobellos are a rustic, savory alternative. Just stay away from tofu. Tofu is decidedly unsexy.

To complete your supermarket seduction, you’ll need some crusty bread. While still warm from the hearth is ideal, it’s likely that your day job prevents you from mastering artisan baking. Luckily, many local markets carry enough of a variety that you can usually find a decent loaf. Don’t bother getting it sliced. Bread is best when torn apart and dipped directly into a plate of extra-virgin olive oil infused with torn basil.

Once the basket is full and appetites are aroused, take your love’s hand and lead him into your culinary lair. While timing is essential, don’t fret about recipes or measurements or other such trivialities. Cooking is an instinctive, sensual experience that reflects the passions of the chef. Thinly slice, finely dice. Vigorously tenderize. Heat things up. Bring to a rolling boil and gently simmer. Do not be afraid to experiment with spice and realize that to create a feast, you gotta get a little bit messy.

After all, cooking is a lot like love: a collaboration best approached with abandon and slowly feasted upon with no regret.

Kate Collins is a Bangor Daily News photographer and a food enthusiast.