Padma Lakshmi, international model, actress and host of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef,” talks food, life and her latest cookbook Tangy Tart Hot & Sweet.  

WhyTangy Tart Hot and Sweet?
I think the title encompasses all the flavors that I love to eat and all the flavors in the book.

Who/what inspired your recipes?
A lot of them were just from food memories, things I remembered tasting and loving. Some of them just came about by daydreaming about recipes and what I wanted to eat. I would take long leisurely strolls through gourmet markets and ethnic food stores, and think, “okay what can I do with this?”

Do you have a favorite recipe in the book?
I really like the flautas because they’re vegetarian so everyone can eat them, and they’re yummy with the mint dipping sauce, which is also really tangy and spicy and really fresh tasting.