Jacques Torres ChocolateJacques Torres Chocolate--the only place in NYC you can watch a cocoa bean transform into a chocolate bar. Move over Willy Wonka, Jacques Torres is in town. This chocolatier specializes in hand-crafted chocolate made from only the best ingredients. With one location downtown and another in Brooklyn, JT has got your sweet tooth satisfied. A special "kid's space" in the downtown location makes little ones feel at home as they watch the master at work while making friends with other budding chocolate enthusiasts. Our mouthwatering favorites include hot chocolate, chocolate covered ginger, and truffles galore. Or best of all, try JT's famous Chocolate Chip Cookie, deemed "The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie" by the New York Times. Jacques Torres does chocolate better.
Jacques Torres Chocolate, 350 Hudson St, 212-414-2462

Join us for a special Urban Foodies class on
September 19th for a tour by Jacques Torres
himself! Sign up now.

Jacques Torres's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes about 2 dozen cookies
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

Zany ZucchiniHave you ever mistaken a zucchini for a cucumber? Mistake no more! Zucchini is a green summer squash whereas a cucumber is in the gourd family. To tell the difference between cucumbers and zucchini use your sense of touch; cukes are cold and waxy while zucchinis are prickly and dry. Zucchini is very healthy because it's low in calories and high in fiber and Vitamin A. It is delicious served raw with dip, cooked as a side, and as a substitute for butter or oil in baked goods. Because Zucchini is easy to grow, especially during the summer months, it has a reputation for producing an overwhelming crop for home gardeners! CK has a way for you to make use of this abundant, healthy, and tasty veggie that will keep you eating it well into the fall months.

Zucchini Boats
1 zucchini, ends cut off and sliced in half
Olive oil
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 egg yolk
2 T bread crumbs
1/2 of an onion, diced
1/2 t garlic, minced
1 tomato, diced
Shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cut zucchini in half and scoop out the seeds with a melon baller or spoon. Sprinkle both halves with olive oil, salt & pepper. Place on a baking sheet in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F. Bake until zucchini is soft, about 15 minutes. Mix together ricotta, egg yolk, and bread crumbs; set aside. Sautee onions over medium heat with oil until translucent and then add garlic and tomatoes. Sautee for a few more minutes until tomatoes are soft. Next, mix this in with the ricotta cheese mixture and add in a bit of Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture into the zucchini boats and sprinkle with Parmesan and drizzle with olive oil. Broil in the oven until ricotta mixture cooks up and cheese is lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add salt & pepper to taste and enjoy!

Green Clean: VinegarVinegar is a great alternative to chemical filled cleaning products when it comes to cleaning your kitchen (and home). Did you know that vinegar's shelf life is indefinite? That means that as long as you're around, you can use vinegar to clean your home. It's also safe for your family and the environment because it's a natural organic bi-product of fruits, vegetables and grains.

Use Vinegar to...

• Disinfect the inside of your dishwasher pour 1/2 cup into the reservoir and run an empty cycle.
• Clean your floors add 1/4 cup to a bucket of warm water to clean any type of floor except marble or wood. It also smells a lot better than ammonia!
• Get a spotless shine on your glasses hand-wash them with 1 cup added to the rinse water.
• Get those pesky deposits off your shower head, pour vinegar into a plastic grocery bag and tie the handles around the neck of the shower head (secure with rubber bands if necessary), and let soak overnight. Rinse with water in the morning.
• For pristine clean windows mix 1/4 cup with 2 cups of water and a squirt of soap in a spray bottle. Spritz on windows and wipe clean with a sheet of newspaper.
• Fun Fact- in ancient Greek times vinegar was used as an antibiotic.

Tomato, Tomahto, Potato, Potahto...It's the age old debate: is a tomato a vegetable or a fruit? Botanically speaking, a tomato has seeds which make it a fruit, just as other foods we think of as veggies are fruits too, including avocados and cucumbers.

Tomatoes are just as nutritious as they are delicious. With over 7500 varieties, they contain a powerful antioxidant called Lycopene and help with Vitamin C intake. Tomatoes are in peak season in August so check out your local market or grocery store for the perfect snack, salad, or sandwich topper. Our favorite is the Heirloom variety.

Trivia: The first time tomato juice was served was in 1917 when a chef in Indiana ran out of oranges to make his morning OJ and he used tomatoes instead. It was an instant hit!

Giveaway: Built Relish Lunch ToteIt's almost back to school time we're giving away a free Built Relish Lunch Tote to make getting out the door easier. Built specializes in neoprene totes that are stylish as well as functional. Neoprene is a soft, waterproof material that works great as a lunch box. It keeps grapes, cheese sticks, and juice boxes cold until you're ready to chow down. This Built Lunch Tote will have one lucky CKer going back to school in style!

Join our e-mail updates to be eligible to win. The winner will be notified via email the first week of September.
*Update: Congratulations to Lucy Fielding from Brooklyn, New York. We hope you enjoy your Built Relish Lunch Tote!

Chef of the Month - MaddyMaddy is a chef who is growing into her culinary shoes...literally. After waiting in line for hours to meet celebrity Chef Bobby Flay, he was so enthralled by Maddy that he autographed her Converse shoes! A proud owner of 15 aprons, Maddy loves watching The Food Network, spending time with friends, and playing with her dog Daisy Dukes.

Name: Maddy
Age: 10 years
Neighborhood: Norfeldt, CT
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Whisk

StandLooking for a restaurant with a kid-friendly atmosphere? Look no further than Stand in Union Square. This restaurant has it all: delicious burger combos, amazing fries, and awesome milkshakes. Move over Happy Meals, Stand's "Kid's Pack" includes a mini-burger, small fries, and a drink for only $8. For dessert, try the "Toasted Marshmallow" milkshake, as featured on the Food Network's Best Thing I Ever Ate--trust us, it's incredible. Stand's open air feel, fun music, and large booth seating make this burger joint perfect for families. Don't forget to check out the stars and stripes cow statue on the way out!
Stand, 24 East 12th St, between University Place & 5th Avenue, 212-488-5900.