Robin Takes 5: Cookbook Review

I’ll admit it now, I am a Food Network junkie!  So, when I was offered the chance to have a sneak peek at Robin Miller’s newest cookbook Robin Takes 5
I was really excited.  Robin is the best-selling author and host of Quick Fix Meals
on Food Network.  Robin’s newest cookbook will hit the shelves on November 1 and is packed with 500 recipes that are 5 ingredients or less and 500 calories or less.

I’ve noticed that 5 ingredient cooking is the newest trend in home cooking.  Why?  My guess is because it let’s busy families still make it to the table to enjoy a home cooked meal without the stress of a big elaborate meal with dozens of ingredients that takes hours to prepare.  Robin utilizes some prepacked and prepared foods along with fresh ingredients to help us prepare easy and healthy meals for our families.

There are so many wonderful sounding recipes that I can’t decide where to start….it will probably be with the desserts!  There are tons of pictures too; however, I do find myself wanting a few more.  I love having pictures in a cookbook, so I always want more.  The recipes are well written with clear and concise cooking instructions.

I was also given the opportunity to interview Robin.   I’ve never interviewed anyone so I kept it really simple.  And I decided to share one of the great sounding pizza recipes too.

AMFT: What is your favorite recipe in the book?

Robin: I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite! The book contains 500 of my favorite things on earth. I must say, however, I adore any type of pizza or calzone. The Butternut Squash Risotto with Smoked Mozzarella is out of this world, I adore the Peanut-Crusted Chicken with Cilantro-Garlic Sauce, any of the shrimp recipes are knock-your-socks-off good, and the Mint Chocolate Bark, White Chocolate Bark with Pretzels and Peanuts and Dark Chocolate Truffles stand out in my mind!

AMFT: What inspired you to write Robin Takes 5?

Robin: I am inspired by my crazy lifestyle and the lifestyles of the friends and fans that tell me they need quick, delicious, healthy meals during the week. We all want great meals but have little time to pull them together. I found a way to utilize fabulous ingredients to create amazing meals. With 500 recipes, there’s truly something for every palate (young AND old)!

AMFT: Who can benefit from the recipes in the new book?

Robin: Everyone can benefit! Who doesn’t want a fantastic meal made with just 5 ingredients (or less)? Everyone wants to create stellar meals with minimal ingredients. Plus, knowing that the dish is healthy will benefit folks watching their waistlines.

AMFT: What is your least favorite food and why?

Robin: That’s a hard one because I really like most things. I’m a picky eater, but that just means I like some things more than others. The only food I truly can’t tolerate is lamb and that could be because I had it prepared incorrectly the first time and never went back for seconds!

Feta Pizza with Cherry Tomatoes and Oregano

Serves 6 ■ Prep time: 10 minutes ■ Cooking time: 15 minutes 

Premade pizza crusts cook up nice and crisp, and that’s ideal for this pizza—the toppings of sweet cherry tomatoes, salty feta cheese, garlic-flavored olive oil, and oregano are more like fresh salad ingredients. Think of this as more of a bruschetta than a pizza. That said, it’s perfect for entertaining.

1 (12-inch) premade pizza crust, regular or thin
1 tablespoon garlic-flavored olive oil
1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano

Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

Place the pizza crust on a pizza pan or baking sheet and brush the oil all over the top. Top with the cherry tomatoes, feta, and oregano. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown and the tomatoes soften.

Regular crust:
Nutrients per serving:
Calories: 240
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 11mg
Carbohydrate: 34g
Protein: 8g
Fiber: 1g
Sodium: 492mg

Thin crust:
Nutrients per serving:
Calories: 200
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 11mg
Carbohydrate: 25g
Protein: 7g
Fiber: 1g
Sodium: 412mg

*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample of the product for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*