by Monica Wright
Local writer Erica Rivera's Man Eater Website is like porn for women: decadent recipes tailored to whatever your sexual stage (sex-starved single girl? Try the "If life gives you lemons" mini muffins, stories of Rivera's steamy conquests, and plenty of photos of (hot) local chefs making recipes. Grab yourself a slice of anything that claims to be an aphrodisiac as Rivera offers her tips on mixing food with pleasure.
1. Your first book, Insatiable, was about your struggle with anorexia. Your next book, Man Eater, is all about stuffing your face with food and men. That seems like a big switch! How did you go from starving mom to satiated single gal?
I’ve always been passionate about food, but at age 23, in the midst of a divorce and raising two daughters on my own, I became afraid of loving anything too much. The eating disorder emerged as a coping mechanism and food was one of the few areas of my life I thought I could control. Insatiable is the story of how anorexia ended up controlling me and how I eventually learned to embrace my appetite again.
Men have always been one of my greatest pleasures, too, but when I was dealing with my eating disorder issues, I didn’t have the time or the energy to explore my sexuality. The period of my life that I’m in right now is all about rediscovering my passions and making up for the hedonism I missed while I was in recovery.
I’m not satiated yet…and perhaps never will be…but that’s precisely what men find most charming—and challenging—about me.
2. Are recipes like the "Post-coital Coconut Popsicles" and "Canadian Pound Me Cake" really inspired by your sexual experiences? How do you translate those experiences into recipes?
The majority of the Man Eater recipes are replicas of meals that I enjoyed with my lovers. The Post-coital Popsicles are part of a very sweet scene between the protagonist of the book, Puck, and me. The comfort I found in recreating the foods he and I devoured together was what started this wild Man Eater adventure. Other recipes, like the Canadian Pound Me Cake, came along when I started the blog. I can’t always pinpoint what inspired them; it’s just how my dirty mind works. I’m often surprised by what comes out—and goes into—my mouth.
3. What's the best meal to make for a man you're having over on a date? Do you have a go-to recipe for seduction?
I make a mean loaf of pepperoni bread. That’s my secret weapon of seduction. When it comes to courtship, however, I like good old-fashioned chivalry. For me, a great date is when I can sit back, relax, and be wowed by the man I’m with. That doesn’t necessarily mean he has to cook for me (though if he does, and does so well, he will be rewarded), but eating is an essential (and, ideally, memorable) part of dating. I’m a sucker for a big hunk of meat…and anything on the grill.
4. The 'food porn' portion of your website shows some tasty pics of your recipes. What's your most popular creation?
Any of my many variations on banana bread. I’m very excited about my latest Mark Mallman Marathon Muffins. That recipe has all of my favorite ingredients packed into one moist little package. It’s also been scientifically proven that the scent of banana bread increases arousal in women. (I’m just sayin’…) Photography can be deceptive, however; some of the most photogenic food just isn’t that impressive once it’s in your mouth. That also applies to men.
5. Does having a maneating website make it easier or harder to score?
I’ve gone on more dates since starting Man Eater 14 months ago than I did in the 28 years leading up to the blog’s launch. So, yes, “scoring” has been easier, but sustaining meaningful, committed relationships has been harder. I’ve met so many amazing people as a result of the Man Eater blog, but I’ve also had to end some relationships that might have worked long-term had they not been paraded on the website for my readers’ entertainment. For now, it’s a sacrifice I choose to make for the sake of my art. As for my subjects, they know what they’re getting into from the very first date…and yet they all think they’re the one that’s going to be the exception.
6. Is the way to a man's heart really through his stomach?
Probably, yes…but it’s a long road and I’m awfully impatient. I tend to take the short-cut through a body part further South.
