Enstrom’s sugar-free toffee so delicious,
you won’t believe it’s sugar free (and kosher,
too). Photo courtesy Enstrom.com.

• Take a look at our calorie-free Valentine’s Day gifts.
• If you missed out on chocolate because you’re on a sugar-free diet plan, take a look at our favorite sugar-free chocolates. They’re not calorie-free, but they’re a real find for people who can’t have sugar.

And Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at THE NIBBLE.

The Chocolate Cabernet Flavors Di ‘Vine’ Wine Cake is a creative combination of chocolate devil’s food cake, black cherry gelatin and a cup of California Cabernet Sauvignon. The creator, a third grade teacher, is married to a grape grower in Stockton, California.

The Bundts Across America contest is held bi-annually, and one will be held in 2010. Stay tuned for information.

• Get the recipe for the Chocolate Cabernet Flavors Di ‘Vine’ Wine Cake.
• See our reviews of the Bundt cake mixes (and don’t miss the Sticky Toffee Pudding).

Devil’s food and Cabernet Sauvignon dance
in this “Di Vine” cake. Photo courtesy Nordicware.

Mix up some passion for Valentine’s Day.
Photo courtesy Grey Goose.

How about something red? Something vodka? Something sexy? And delicious, of course!

Try the Lovesicle, Midnight Moment or Pair-tini from Grey Goose. All blend infused vodka (pear or orange) with Valentine flavors, including passion fruit purée, red grapefruit juice, vanilla liqueur and a liqueur called Parfait Amour, based on a Curaçao base.

Check out the cocktail recipes.

For a fun Valentine’s Day party, let guests invent their own “love cocktail” and name the winner. Be prepared with a large-size (3 liters or more) of at least one base spirit like vodka, plus all of the liqueurs and mixers required to let contestants evoke their inner mixologists.

Eggs Benedict are a popular choice. Put a twist on them by placing the eggs on a yummy portabella mushroom instead of the toast.

You can have toast, of course: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out “croutons” from slices of toast. Put one crouton atop each of the eggs.

Add a few raspberries and/or strawberries to the plate for some Valentine’s Day color.

And perhaps some rosé Champagne or sparkling rosé wine?

• Get the recipe for Portabella Eggs Benedict.

Portabella Eggs Benedict. Photo courtesy of
the Mushroom Council.

Chocolate cocktails range from sweet to spicy
to sizzling, like “Hot Lips,” above. Photo
courtesy Van Gogh Vodka.

Long thought of as an aphrodisiac, there’s a scientific basis to the claim. Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, the same chemical released in your brain when you fall in love—leading to an excited feeling of infatuation.

Given what alcohol does to one’s brain, what happens when you drink chocolate alcohol? Find out this Valentine’s Day with chocolate cocktails made from Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka.

The vodka is so wonderfully chocolaty, it doesn’t need mixers. But not everyone likes drinking vodka neat—even chocolate vodka. So check out these chocolate cocktail recipes.

And run to your nearest liquor store to get a bottle of Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka. If you aren’t celebrating with a special Valentine, this is one way to make new friends.