Mystery Lovers' Kitchen: Leslie Karst

Showing posts with label Leslie Karst. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Roasted Broccoli with Miso Butter #ThanksgivingRecipe by @LeslieKarst

This is another recipe that caught my eye in the New York Times food section some weeks back, and I’m thinking it would make for a terrific (and easy) side to your Thanksgiving bird. It can be served either hot out of the oven or at room temperature, which makes it a perfect dish for your holiday dinner.

I love how the addition of just a little bit of miso to a dish ramps up its umami factor by an amazing level. Add to that the extra flavor that roasting brings to broccoli and you get a side dish that’s absolutely bursting with deliciousness!

Roasted Broccoli with Miso Butter

(serves 4)

Ingredients

1 large head broccoli (at least 1 lb.), cut into bite-size pieces

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon butter at room temperature

2 teaspoons miso (either white or red will work fine)

1 tablespoon lime juice (fresh or bottled)

salt to taste

Directions

Heat oven to 424 degrees F.

Place the broccoli in a large roasting pan, drizzle with the oil, and then spread it out in a single layer.

Roast until browned and easily pierced with a fork—about 15 minutes.

While the broccoli is roasting, mash together the butter and miso. (It doesn’t have to be uniformly mixed.)

When the broccoli is cooked to your liking, spoon the butter-miso mixture over it and add the lime juice.

Stir to that all the pieces are covered with the butter and juice. Taste, and add salt as needed. (The miso is very salty, so you likely won’t need to use much.)

Enjoy!

🌱 🍋 🌿

Out Now in Paperback!

Orchid Isle Mystery #3

MURDER, LOCAL STYLE

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

WATERS OF DESTRUCTION

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!

MOLTEN DEATH

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

A SENSE FOR MURDER

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

Praise for Justice is Served:

"a suspenseful, exhilarating memoir; Karst relays her determination to serve the 'perfect' meal to RBG alongside an uplifting, enlightening portrayal of one of the most admired justices in the history of the Supreme Court."

-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.

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Roasted Leeks with Ginger and Orange Juice #recipe by @LeslieKarst

To my mind, few vegetables are as marvelous as leeks, with their earthiness and slight oniony hit of umami. The perfect ingredient for a chilly autumn dinner.

And when they’re roasted, these attributes come out in spades. Add to that the Asian flavors of toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, and ginger, along with the sweet-and-tart hit of orange juice, and this side dish is one you'll want to make again and again. And it's so simple to prepare!

Many recipes tell you to cut off all of the dark green part of the leeks, but I always use that part, as it adds lots of flavor to the dish. And note that although I used blood orange juice here (because those were the type of oranges I had on hand), feel free to use any kind of orange juice—even a couple teaspoons of the frozen concentrate mixed with a bit of water will work fine.

Roasted Leeks with Ginger and Orange Juice

(serves 2-3)

Ingredients

2 large leeks

2” of ginger, peeled and minced (about 2 tablespoons)

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon soy sauce

½ to 1 teaspoon black pepper, depending on your taste

juice of one orange (about ½ cup)

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Cut off the roots and the very ends of the dark green part of the leeks, slice down the middle lengthwise, and rinse out any dirt and grit inside. Chop into 1” pieces. Place the leeks in a large roasting pan and drizzle with the sesame oil.

Add the ginger, pepper, and soy sauce.

Drizzle on 2/3 of the orange juice, and stir everything so that it’s all mixed evenly with the leeks.

Spread the leaks out in the pan and roast until the leaks are cooked through and starting to brown—about 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and stir in the remaining orange juice.

Continue roasting until the leeks are starting to get crispy on the edges—another 5 minutes or so. (See photo at top.)

Yum!

🌱 🍋 🌿

Out Now in Paperback!

Orchid Isle Mystery #3

MURDER, LOCAL STYLE

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

WATERS OF DESTRUCTION

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!

MOLTEN DEATH

Orchid Isle Mystery #1

Buy link here

2025 Lefty Award Finalist

for Best Mystery!

Booklist

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

A SENSE FOR MURDER

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

Praise for Justice is Served:

-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.

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Butter-Glazed Pears with Ice Cream #recipe by @LeslieKarst

The last of our pears were dangling enticingly from our tree last week, so when I was asked to bring dessert to a dinner party, I decided they make for the perfect sweet with which to welcome autumn.

This dish takes only about five minutes to prep, and then another two or three to put together at the last minute, so it’s perfect for dinner parties. Though next time I’d use vanilla ice cream, as with the caramel swirl it was very sweet.

Butter-Glazed Pears with Ice Cream

(serves 4)

Ingredients

2 medium pears, still slightly hard

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon brown sugar

salt, to taste

ice cream of your choice (I recommend vanilla)

cookies of your choice, several crumbled for garnish

Directions

Core and thinly slice the pears.

Heat the butter in a skillet, then add the sugar.

Stir to dissolve the sugar, then add the pears and stir to coat them with the glaze. Sprinkle with a little salt (I used about ¼ teaspoon.)

Sauté the pears until softened and golden brown.

The pears can now either sit in the pan until time for service, or they can be placed in a container and stored in the fridge for up to a day. When ready to serve, re-heat the pears (either in the pan, or in the microwave works, as well).

Scoop ice cream into individual bowls.