In this week’s Top Pick, we feature:

• Gourmet caramels
• Bewitching brownies and cookies
• A fresh fruit “bouquet” (a very healthy gift)
• Savory gifts, including heart-shaped cheese, ravioli and rib steak
• Rose-colored spiritsIf you haven’t yet decided on what to send your sweetie, take a look at these yummy, non-chocolate Valentine’s Day gifts.

  And if you still don’t see the perfect gift, take a look at our Valentine recommendations from prior years.

For your sweetie: The Fire And Spice
Collection from Sugardaddy’s Sumptuous
Sweeties. Photo courtesy Sugardaddy’s.

Chicken tortilla soup combines chicken, corn,
grated cheese, garlic, onion and tortilla
chips. Who wouldn’t want a big bowl?
Photo courtesy Cabot Creamery.

In the current economy, look at it as a delicious and inexpensive meal alternative, served along with a salad and a fine loaf of bread (try something different each time—a country loaf, nut bread, semolina, sourdough, etc.).

Make your own favorite recipe or choose from our soup recipes—everything from Chicken Corn Tortilla Soup to Creamy Seafood Chowder to Spicy Hot Potato Soup.

• Here are 10 tips for better soup-making.
• Take a look at ways to garnish 20 different soups.
• Take our soup trivia quiz.
• Check out last year’s Homemade Soup Day tip. 

Most consumers don’t know why they might choose a Muscovy over a Magret. That’s why we created a Duck Glossary.

Duck lovers: Here’s your chance to become an arbiter of duck terms. You’ll also find a recipe for Chinese Five-Spice Duck, plus duck-cooking tips.

Who am I? Most roast duck is Pekin, or
“Long Island” duckling. Photo courtesy
Maple Leaf Farms.

Have a heart: Use red doilies on Valentine’s
Day. Photo courtesy
MozzarellaCompany.com.

Use them to present cocktails, crottins of chèvre, individual desserts (panna cotta, cupcakes) and other dishes on your Valentine’s Day table (start with morning toast!).

Use them for just one course per meal, though: Too much of anything is overkill.

Each day of this week’s contest, Walkers Shortbread is giving five winners three of their gourmet “shortbreads with a twist.” All the cookies are covered in a rich chocolate coating and pair perfectly with coffee or tea. Whether it’s tea time, dessert time or general snack time—or you need a welcome hostess gift—Walkers Shortbread is an indulgence to look forward to.

• THE PRIZE: Every day of the contest, five winners will each win three boxes of Walkers shortbread cookies. Each of the three varieties—Ginger Royals (photo at left), Orange Royals and Walkers Chocolate Rings—have rich chocolate coatings that would make your chocolate-loving Valentine beg for more. Approximate retail value: $25.00.
• To Enter This Gourmet Giveaway: Go to the box at the bottom of our Cookies, Brownies & Bars Section and enter your email address for the prize drawing. This contest closes on Monday, February 8th at noon, Eastern Time. Good luck!
• SPECIAL DISCOUNT: Through April 1, 2010, NIBBLE readers get a 20% discount on all of Walkers products. Just use the code nibblewalkers at checkout when you visit WalkersUS.com.

One of the world’s favorite shortbreads is
even more delicious when decked out in
chocolate. Photo courtesy Walkers Shortbread.