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Cravings: Stuff We Gotta Have

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By JEFF HOUCK

jhouck@tampatrib.com

Published: February 8, 2009

START YOUR DAY OUT RIGHT

Whoever connected the dots between Valentine's Day and chocolate, our hat's off to you. Seriously. Well done. But though it's one thing to enjoy chocolate, it's quite another to eat, sleep and breathe it. Chocolate connoisseur Barbara Passino, famous for making decadent breakfasts at her Napa Valley inn, would like you to start your day with chocolate. Her recipes in her new book, "Chocolate for Breakfast" (The Gerald & Marc Hoberman Collection, $40) include Chocolate Omelet with Blueberries in Pinot Noir sauce, Poached Apples in Chocolate Gingerbread Cookie Cups and Chocolate-Chocolate Pancakes. Now, there's an idea we can get behind.

LOVE,

LOVE, LOVE

Fort Myers chocolatier Norman Love considers Valentine's Day the Super Bowl of candy. Love's chocolates, once listed as a Consumer Reports magazine best-buy, offer what he calls "eight heart-shaped chocolate indulgences" that include such flavors as Tahitian Caramel, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Passion Fruit and Cookies 'n Cream. Red heart-shaped leather boxes that hold 20 and 30 pieces cost $45 and $60. For information or to order, call (866) 515-2121 or go to www.normanloveconfections.com.

HEART YOU

Anyone can buy a bag of hearts with little smudgy messages on them. How special is that? Instead, maybe try giving a batch of chocolate lollipops with Valentine's Day wishes like "Happy Valentine's Day," "Be Mine," "xoxo," and "I Love You." The six large chocolate lollipops are decorated and tied with a red bow. Cost: $22 plus shipping. Available at www.chocolate.com. And if the target of your affection doesn't like them, you can eat them yourself. We won't tell.

Jeff Houck

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