I was asked to bring a salad to a dinner party recently where pasta would be the main course, and given all the gorgeous tomatoes that are now arriving in gardens and grocery stores, I decided that needed to be the star of my dish. And then I hit upon the idea of a take on a Caprese Salad, with the addition of cucumber and substituting chives for the basil.
Not only was the salad a snap to make, but it was delicious and gorgeous to look at! I’ll for sure make this again. (Be sure to use the more flavorful tomatoes you can find, as well as good quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar, for the best result.)
Simple Summer Italian Salad
Ingredients
more or less equal amounts of:
fresh tomatoes (preferably heirloom or homegrown)
cucumber
mozzarella cheese
salt and freshly-ground pepper
extra virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar
chopped chives (or green onions)
Directions
Peel the cucumber, if you like. Or, as I did, peel it partially, so that thin lines of green remain. Then cut the cucumber, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese into thin slices.
Arrange the tomato, cucumber, and cheese slices on a serving platter, alternating them to make a pretty pattern.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
The salad can sit in the fridge at this point for several hours. Shortly before service, drizzle the salad with olive oil.
Then drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
Coarsely chop the green onions and scatter them over the salad.
I told you it was easy!
Buon appetito!
🌱 🍋 🌿
Just Released!
Orchid Isle Mystery #3
Available for purchase here.
"The beauties and customs of Hawai‘i provide a striking backdrop for a murder with an unexpected motive."
Kirkus Reviews
🍍 🌴 🍹
Out now in paperback!
Orchid Isle Mystery #2
Buy link here.
2026 Lefty and Agatha Award Finalist
for Best Mystery/Contemporary Mystery!
"Immerse yourself in Hawaiian lore and savor the portrayal of the stunning landscapes
while enjoying the entertaining mystery."
Kirkus Reviews
Also available
in paperback!
Orchid Isle Mystery #1
Buy link here
2025 Lefty Award Finalist
for Best Mystery!
“Karst’s first Orchid Isle novel is part murder mystery, part vividly evocative, colorful sketch of Hawaii and its history, geography, tradition, culture, food, language, and people. Armchair travelers and mystery aficionados alike will find it entertaining.”
Booklist
This first book in my brand-new Orchid Isle mystery series features retired caterer Valerie Corbin and her wife Kristen who, on a trip to the Big Island of Hawai‘i, swap surfing lessons for sleuthing sessions when a hike to an active lava flow turns deadly.
Praise for MOLTEN DEATH:
“a compelling read that will enlighten, engage, and entertain, leaving readers longing for their next trip to the Orchid Isle.”
--New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay
“a terrific debut to a series that will go on my must read list!”
--USA Today bestselling author Deborah Crombie
2024 Lefty Award Finalist
for Best Humorous Mystery!
This newest Sally Solari mystery
is available for purchase here !
Praise for A SENSE FOR MURDER:
“[Sally is] sassy, irresistible company... Culinary cozy fans will be in heaven.”
--Publishers Weekly
“An enjoyable read for mystery mavens and foodies alike.”
--Kirkus Reviews
Justice is Served: A Tale of Scallops,
the Law, and Cooking for RBG
is the 2024 Silver Medal Winner for both the
IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award
and the IPPY Award!
Buy link here
-Foreword Reviews (starred review)
"[This] book is a romp from cover to cover—and, just like a great meal, left me ready for more."
-Karen Shimizu, executive editor, Food & Wine-
All of the Sally Solari Mysteries (as well as my other books) are available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.
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