While most of the country was busy firing up their crock pots for Super Bowl chili and cheese dips, World Nutella Day (Feb 5) passed by somewhat unnoticed. Though most of these food holidays seem arbitrary and dubious -- National Candied Orange Peel day (May 4) or Moldy Cheese Day (Oct 9), for example -- I can definitely get behind a celebratory day for the delicious chocolate-hazelnut spread known as Nutella. If a national holiday falls on a weekend, it's perfectly acceptable to celebrate the following Monday, right? Right. So, what's not to like about Nutella? It's wonderful on a crepe. It makes a mighty fine dip (try it with peanut butter crackers). It enhances any dessert recipe. And it's essential for survival if you're broke and bumming around Europe -- peanut butter, banana and Nutella sandwiches kept me from completely wasting away during a college semester abroad. In honor of World Nutella Day, here are a few recipes and tributes to this glorious spreadable edible:

Gothamist goes for sweet and savory decadence with Nutella-coated bacon. 

Food & Wine provides a recipe for Nutella-Swirl Pound Cake.

Daily Dish Recipes celebrates World Nutella Day with Nutella Crescent Rolls.  

San Diego-based food blog Kirbie's Cravings has countless mouth-watering recipes for Nutella desserts. 

For more info on the history of Nutella, head to the World Nutella Day homepage. And as Paula Deen never says (despite her recent claims otherwise), use Nutella in moderation, as it's not exactly a health food. Seems self-explanatory, but a mother once sued Nutella on the grounds that its ads were misleading.