No one will throw this mortarboard up in the air—it’s full of chocolates! Photo by Emily Chang | THE NIBBLE.

As we all love quoting Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates….” Perhaps you can share that wisdom with your young graduate before he or she starts devouring the life lesson.

If all this talk of chocolate and education has made you hungry to learn more about the finer aspects of chocolate, feed your mind with facts from our Chocolate Glossary.

Seegars are made from milk chocolate that’s been rolled and packaged in brown foil to resemble actual cigars. Of course, Dad will have to enjoy these in private—we don’t want him influencing the kids! Seegars are available at See’s Candies stores and online at Sees.com. Certified kosher by KSA.

• Want even more ideas for what to get Dad this year? Take a look at last year’s “Best Father’s Day Gifts” for ideas.

Cachaça (kah-SHA-sah), Brazil’s noble spirit, was invented nearly five hundred years ago, one hundred years before the founding of its Caribbean cousin, rum.

Here in the United States, cachaça is considered “Brazilian rum,” but don’t call it that in front of a Brazilian! Rum is distilled from molasses, while cachaça is a purer spirit, made from fresh cane juice, the purest product of sugar cane (molasses is the residue after the sugar crystals are extracted—read more about the levels of molasses).

The key ingredient in Brazil’s national cocktail, the Caipirinha (ky-puh-REEN-ya), cachaça is not only popular in its country of origin, and is the third most consumed spirit in the world (hmm—how much do they drink at Carnival, anyway?).

So, have a Caipirinha to celebrate the day as you chant the mantra: Cachaça is made from cane juice, rum from molasses. When you can no longer chant this quickly, you’ve had too many Capirihas—time to move on to the espresso bar.

McCormick Grill Mates marinades arrived in exotic, evocative flavors, Hawaiian Luau and Mojito Lime. In other hands, these types of flavors could be overwhelming or sticky sweet; McCormick’s marinades perfectly captured the flavor themes with finesse.

Create a meal in just 30 minutes with Lawry’s Signature Steakhouse and Buffalo BBQ Marinades.

With Lawry’s Buffalo BBQ flavor, initial vinegar sweetness gives way to a nice burn of cayenne pepper and chili. A bite of the Signature Steakhouse reveals a popular taste with an acidic tang of Worcestershire and nice sting of pepper. These are sauces made for all America: they are flavorful but not potent.

On to the marindades. We liked the contrasting, smoky and bright flavors of the Mojito Lime. Peppery heat was backed by a refreshing sugary citrus punch. Hawaiian Luau did not evoke visions of volcanoes or guests in Hawaiian shirts (thank goodness!), but had a nice, even balance of tart pineapple and red pepper.

While all of the products contain high fructose corn syrup and other chemicals that would never get onto an “all natural product” list, as you have probably read, the jury is out as to whether it is the HFCS or all the bad eating habits and the level of over-sweetened food in general that have been responsible for obesity epidemic. We’re not supporting HFCS, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying these products.

• Click for THE NIBBLE’s reviews and articles of Rubs, Marinades, Sauces and Glazes
• Check out Lawry’s website for other products and recipes.
• Discover McCormick’s other spices, sauces and recipes

This “strawberry napoleon” is the perfect
end to an all-strawberry menu at your
strawberry dinner party. Photos courtesy
California Strawberry Commission.

From pre-dinner drinks, to a Syrah glaze for a pork entrée that will have you licking your chops, give these recipes a try.

On the menu:

• Page 1: Sweet and Spicy Absinthe Cocktail
• Page 2: Spicy Syrah-Glazed Pork Chops With Couscous Pilaf
• Page 3: Strawberry & Cucumber Salad
• Page 4: Strawberry Macaroon Napoleons
• Page 5: Strawberry Mango Smoothie