Hi! My name is Stephanie Zonis, and welcome to the January, 2002 edition of "For Chocolate Lovers Only". Each month, you'll find recipes, tips, and recommendations for great chocolate specialties.

Chocolate Recommendation of the Month: Can there be such a thing as an obsession that is truly magnificent? Mental health professionals would tell us there cannot, but I must insist otherwise, for I have seen instances of it in a few chocolatiers. Among those fiercely preoccupied few I count Danish-born Fritz Knipschildt, who is as devoted to his chocolates as the most doting of parents are to their children. Fritz presides over every aspect of Knipschildt Chocolatier, from selecting the mostly European ingredients to carefully seeking out packaging as distinct as his products (the latest gift boxes are from Nepal, and they are gorgeous). It is common these days for manufacturers to claim their chocolates are "handmade", but Fritz's really are; he doesn't even own a tempering machine. The results of all of this intense focus are chocolates that taste even better than they look.

Knipschildt Chocolatier's products range from La Femme (a white chocolate shell with a passionfruit-white chocolate ganache) to Le Cadeau (a nougat-orange truffle) to The Romantic (a dark chocolate heart enclosing a black currant ganache). At the recent New York City Chocolate Show, Fritz's classic dark chocolate French-style truffles left many tasters weak at the knees (I saw one woman start dancing after she took a bite). And try his brand-new chocolates: the Limousin, in the shape of a miniature playing card, is a dark chocolate shell holding a white chocolate-cardamom filling; the Tahiti is a cone-shaped dark chocolate shell covering a white chocolate ganache flavored with tangerine and ancho chile (it's warm, not hot). Both are beautiful! There is a minimalist website (www.knipschildt.com); by now, these chocolates may be available at www.Echocolates.com. If not, the best way to find these lovely distractions from the mundane is to contact Knipschildt Chocolatier directly by calling (203) 435-0895 (or via fax at (203) 866-5759). Be warned, though: while sampling these chocolates, you may become as dedicated to them as the chocolatier himself!

Do you have a comment, question, or suggestion? I'd like your input into this column. You can reach me at: sdziadwm@nac.net. Thank you!