Sampler Platter: A rave review from Oprah, insane recipes from the Futurist Cookbook and cow brain curry

-- L.A.-based vegan chef Tal Ronnen, author of “The Conscious Cook,” makes an appearance on “Oprah” today -- and The O calls him the best vegan chef in America. -- Welcome to the Futurist Cookbook, featuring battered and deep-fried roses, a chicken stuffed with ball bearings, salami cooked in espresso and then flavored with eau de Cologne. And then it gets weird. “I’m dazzled! Your genius frightens me!” The Smart Set-- Recipe: butterscotch cashew bars. Why? Because they sound amazing. James Beard Foundation-- Cow brain curry at Raso Minang in West Covina. Why? Because it sounds amazing. Gourmet Pigs-- The 99-Cent Chef visits the cornucopia of carts in MacArthur Park.-- Is your seafood hurting the planet? Greenspace-- Want to keep up with the latest food recalls? Sign up for Safe Tables’ e-alerts.-- Irvine local Hai Vo wins Brower Youth Award for his efforts to get the UC system to commit to 20% real food procurement by 2020.-- Per property owner Charlie Jacob, Doughboys is shooting for a Dec. 1 opening. Blackburn + Sweetzer-- New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wades into the bagel wars. New York Daily News -- Just in time for Halloween: Witches’ Fingers -- sugar cookies with raspberry jam for cuticles and sliced almonds for fingernails -- from the recently opened Village Bakery and Cafe in Atwater Village.