Coffee Queen Keeps Busy

Cookbook #16 in my Cook the Bookshelf Challenge is All-Time Best Recipes from Cook's Illustrated
All-Time Best Recipes from Cook's Illustrated
About the Book This cookbook is a bookazine (single-issue magazine) from 2009.  It is full of recipes that have been tested and perfected by the experts at America's Test Kitchen.  The recipes in this special edition are recipes that the editors at Cook's Illustrated believe are more than worth the expense and effort of making them. 
The Recipe I Chose To Make I made Hearty Tuscan Bean Stew from page 49. This recipe called for brining dried cannellini beans overnight; a technique they go over in great detail in the introduction to the recipe.  The result was creamy textured beans that did not fall apart while the stew was cooking. 
Hearty Tuscan Bean Stew
How Was It? This was a delicious and hearty stew that used many ingredients that I keep stocked in my pantry.  I made this on a rather warm day and am looking forward to making it …

Cookbook #15 in my Cook the Bookshelf Challenge is Cooking Light '86.
Cooking Light '86
About the Book (underline) This is one of the earliest of Cooking Light's annual cookbooks in my collection.  It contains 500 recipes that are nutritious without sacrificing taste and texture. It also contains information on healthy living, exercise, and new-at-the-time foods and exercise equipment.  Despite being almost 35 years old most of the recipes stand the test of time.
About the Author At the time this book was printed Cooking Light was still a column in Southern Living Magazine and would not become it's own magazine until 1987. Cooking Light became a lifestyle publication that provided delicious low-calorie recipes and tips. The monthly magazine is no longer available but they do publish 4 single issue magazines a year that are filled with their delicious recipes and healthy eating tips.
The Recipe I Chose To Make I made the Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing from page 177.…

Cookbook #14 in my Cook the Bookshelf Challenge is All-New Fresh Food Fast by Cooking Light.
All New Fresh Food Fast
About the Book This is a very special cookbook!  It was given to me by my friends at Cooking Light and the Cooking Light Diet.  I started following the meal plan from Cooking Light Diet in 2016 with a lot of success.  In 2018 they flew out to my house in California with a film crew and filmed an interview with me.  It was an amazing time and it was great to meet some of the people behind the Cooking Light Diet.  A short time later I received a package from Cooking Light with some beautiful cookbooks that I did not have in my collection, including this one.  Included was this note that still makes my day--every time I read it I am reminded of what a great time I had!  Apparently I was one of the 'first folks of Earth to have a copy' of this book so I'm keeping the author of the note anonymous just in case mum is still the word. 
About the Author Cooking Light …

Cookbook #13 in my Cook the Bookshelf Challenge is The All American Cheese and Wine Book by Laura Werlin.

The All American Cheese and Wine Book
About the Book I bought this cookbook at the Pawtastic Thrift Boutique on Miracle Mile in Stockton, a great local store that supports local animal rescues and sells all books for only $1.00! To my surprise not only is this book a James Beard Award winner but also an autographed copy! Score!
"Say cheese (and wine!)"
This book has information about how cheese and wine is produced in America and everything you need to know about tasting, choosing, serving, and pairing without feeling intimidated. The recipe section highlights American wineries and cheese makers and has recipes that pair both together.
The Recipe I Chose To Make I decided to make Brie-Mango Quesadillas with Lime Cream from page 125.  There are so many delicious sounding recipes in this book so it was very hard to choose which one to make.  I decided on this recipe because, …

Cookbook #12 in my Cook the Bookshelf Challenge is Air Fryer Perfection from America's Test Kitchen.
Air Fryer Perfection
About the Book This cookbook is a bookazine (single-issue magazine) from January 2020.  It is full of recipes that have been tested and perfected by the experts at America's Test Kitchen.  In addition to great recipes for various entrees and sides there is information on how to get the most from your air fryer and ratings for several models.
The Recipe I Chose To Make I made Lemon -Oregano Roasted Pork Chops with Tomato-Feta Salad, found on page 52.
Lemon -Oregano Roasted Pork Chops with Tomato-Feta Salad

How Was It? This recipe was was quick and tasty! I made the salad while the pork cooked and the timing was perfect.  I did not have pork chops on hand so I substituted a pork tenderloin.  I butterflied it to make the thickness more similar to pork chops but otherwise followed the recipe and directions.  The meat is brushed honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, garli…

Cookbook # 11 in my Cook the Bookshelf Challenge is Food & Wine Magazine's 1999 Annual Cookbook.
Food & Wine Magazine's 1999 Annual Cookbook
About the Book Food & Wine is a monthly magazine that has been published since 1978. This cookbook contains all of the recipes from the 1998 issues of the magazine and celebrates their 20th anniversary. It also includes the 20 best recipes published in the magazine during that time. 
I bought this cookbook several years ago. Before my challenge I had not cooked anything from this book--I assumed that it was a bit too sophisticated for my skill level and for family meals--so it has been tucked away on my shelf since I bought it.  When I was looking through it to decide which recipe to make I was surprised at how many were family friendly, in line with my cooking skills, and did not require any knowledge about wine.  I have several recipes flagged to try in the future!
The Recipe I Chose To Make I decided to make the Bittersweet C…