I Love Chocolate: Red Hearts and Winter Blues

by Stephanie Zonis

Red Hearts and Winter Blues

Souffle
Whether you're looking to say "I love you" with chocolate, or just searching for something to keep away those midwinter blues, this month's column provides some food for thought. Try an innovative dish of Biscuits with Chocolate Gravy, a citrus-y Orange Soufflé, or a dessert drink appropriately called "Casanova." Let's get into the kitchen!

Chocolate Find of the Month:

How shall I describe this month's Chocolate Find, zChocolat.com? This organization brings together some of the products of fine French chocolatiers to sell to you. These chocolatiers are not well known outside of their respective regions, because they choose to keep their standards high rather than expand their market at the cost of the quality of their chocolates. Just promotional double-talk, you scoff? I was skeptical, too—until I bit into one of the chocolates. Try a Caramel, a not-too-sweet chewy morsel covered in milk or dark chocolate. My parents are partial to the Grignotine, orange-flavored and chocolate-caramel-coated toasted almonds with pieces of orange peel and a dark chocolate covering. I have no intention of telling you my favorite pieces, lest you order them all.

One of the great things about zChocolat.com is that you can select individual pieces to fill your box, and decide whether you want all milk chocolates, all dark chocolates, or an assortment (you can also choose gift wrap). The company, located in France, has negotiated a very nice deal with an international shipping group, and your chocolates will arrive in the US in 2 or 3 days once they're shipped. For a gift, try one of the gorgeous wooden boxes (you can order refills for them, too!); if these are for yourself, order one of "the Basics" (mine arrived in perfect condition). One caveat: if you are allergic to nuts or don't like them, be aware that most of the chocolates on this site contain them. Corporate gifts are available here, too. No occasion is too inconsequential for good chocolate, so head over to zChocolat.com and let your tastebuds be your guide! Their website is at www.zChocolat.com.

I Love Chocolate wants YOU!!! Do you have a comment, question, or suggestion? How about a recent chocolate "find" you'd like to share? You can contact me at: sdziadwm@[email-address-removed]; I'd like your input on this column. Thanks!

'Till next month,
Yours in chocolate,
Stephanie

Recipes:

Current I Love Desserts
I Love Chocolate Archive

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