Even if you don’t know the name, you know the face. Cristina Ferrare has been an entertainment fixture since the 70s, first as a model, then as an actress, talk show host, author, and now as the star of her own cooking show on Oprah’s OWN network.  Her new cookbook, “Cristina Ferrare’s Big Bowl of Love,” is named after the show and takes you through some of her tried and true recipes that are easy, healthy, and oh so good.

How do I know?

I was invited to a private press reception to meet Cristina and sample some of these recipes. We gathered in the charming outdoor patio at Tiato Cafe in Santa Monica, one of my favorite places in all of LA. And like the shameless eater that I am, I kept asking for more of the bite-sized “veggie” burgers made with black bean dip (so good and unexpected!), and mini polenta cakes with marinara sauce and fresh basil from Tiato’s herb garden.

There were only about 1o of us in the group, which was just perfect. It gave us all a chance to talk food with Cristina and hear about her next venture on the horizon: opening up a cafe marketplace a la Joan’s on Third!

After dishing on everything from scary airplane experiences to some of the 150+ recipes featured in the book, we all received a signed copy. Now if I could only get her to my place to whip them up for me.

More info:  www.oprah.com