Robin Miller, host of the Food Network show “Quick Fix Meals,” begins the month of November with the release of her cookbook “Robin Takes 5.” The number 5 factors heavily into the the book with 500 recipes using 5 ingredients or less that are 500 calories or less and can be whipped up 5 nights a week at 5 p.m. In the book, Miller uses her background as a nutritionist to create healthy, sodium-conscious recipes.

500 Recipes, 5 Ingredients, 500 Calories or Less: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

Recipes from “Robin Takes 5″ (published Nov. 1, 2011 by Andrews McMeel Publishing)

Beet and Apple Salad with Pistachios and Goat Cheese (Serves 4)
Prep time: 10 minutes
Because cooked beets are sweet, its great to pair them with tart
Granny Smith apples, salty and pungent goat cheese, and nutty, crunchy pistachios. When you create your own dishes, try to pick
opposing flavors that will work well together on the plate. Its all about creating a balance.

• 2 cups thinly sliced cooked beets (not pickled)
• 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
• ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese
• ¼ cup shelled pistachios

Directions

1. Combine the beets, apple, and sherry vinegar in a large bowl and toss.
2. Fold in the goat cheese and pistachios.
3. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper before serving.

Nutrients per serving:
Calories: 156
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 7 mg
Carbohydrate: 19g
Protein: 6g
Fiber: 4g
Sodium: 299mg

Nicoise Pizza with Olives, Red Peppers, and Gruyère (Serves 6)
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes

This is my twist on the classic French salad that also boasts tuna, green beans, and hard-boiled eggs. I decided to leave those items off the pizza, but you can certainly add them after the pizza is cooked. What follows is a unique combination of flavors that works really well on pizza dough.

• 1 pound fresh or frozen bread or pizza dough, thawed according to package directions
• 2 cups thinly sliced roasted red peppers
• 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced into thin rounds
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Roll the dough out into a large circle or rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
3. Transfer the dough to a pizza pan or baking sheet.
4. Top with peppers, olives, cheese, and oregano.
5. Bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

Nutrients per serving:
Calories: 322
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 20 mg
Carbohydrate: 39g
Protein: 12g
Fiber: 1g
Sodium: 826mg