Faux Saag Paneer #recipe by @LeslieKarst

  

I came up with this recipe because I was making a curry dish and wanted something else to go with it. Since I had a lot of cottage cheese and fresh kale on hand, I thought: Why not use those to make a faux saag paneer?

 

True saag paneer is generally prepared with spinach (at least in the US; in India they often use greens such as mustard, collards, or fenugreek) and paneer, a fresh Indian cheese similar to Mexican queso panela or halloumi. But this version turned out to be quite delicious, indeed. And it’s pretty simple to make, to boot, so go ahead and try it out. Along with curry and rice, and some naan to scoop it all up, it will make for quite the Indian feast!

[Note that I'm currently in France, 9 hours ahead of Pacific Time, so my response to comments may be spotty. But I'll do my best, biensûr!] 

Faux Saag Paneer

(serves 4)

 

Ingredients

1 tablespoon neutral oil for frying the kale

4-6 cups chopped kale (tough stems removed)

½ teaspoon garam masala

½ teaspoon cumin powder

½ teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon black pepper

salt, to taste (go easy on this, as the cottage cheese contains a lot of salt)

1 cup cottage cheese

 

Directions

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot, then add half the kale. Fry the kale, stirring often, until it starts to wilt. 

 

Add the rest of the kale and continue to stir fry, until it starts to brown and has become soft and wilted.

 

Add ½ cup of water and stir. 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue to cook for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kale is tender and any errant stems are cooked through. 

 

 Add all the spices except the salt, and stir in. 

 

Add the cottage cheese and mix in.

 

Taste, and add salt to taste, plus more spices if you like. (I added more garam masala at this point.)

 

 

Continue to cook, stirring occasionally. It will get watery as the cottage cheese releases its moisture, and then the liquid will start to cook away. Once the liquid has evaporated to your liking, the dish is done.  

 

The faux saag paneer can sit on the stove for an hour or two and then be reheated right before service.

🌱  🍋 🌿

 

Just Released!

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.

 

 

Fagiolini al Burro #recipe by @LesllieKarst

 

The first time I tasted fagiolini al burro, aka green beans drowning in butter (as they seemed to me at the time) was many years ago in Italy, and from that first bite I was smitten.

If you happen to have planted green beans this summer, chances are you are overrun with them right about now, and this is a simple and delicious way to prepare the lovely vegetables. The Italians don’t always include garlic, but I say you can never have too much garlic, right?

Fagiolini al Burro

(serves 4)

Ingredients

1 lb. green beans (or more, if you want large servings)

1 tablespoon olive oil

2-4 cloves garlic (depending on how garlicky you like your beans)

1 tablespoon butter

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

De-string the beans and remove the stems, if necessary. If they’re small haricots verts, no need to cut them, but if they’re large green beans, you may want to cut them into bite-size pieces. Your choice.

Peel and mince the garlic.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat till shimmering, then add the beans and stir to coat with the oil.

Cook the beans till they’re almost done, tossing/stirring them to prevent them from burning, then add the garlic and toss again.

Once the garlic has browned, which should take only a minute or two (don’t let it burn!), add the butter and toss again.

As soon as the butter has melted and coated all the beans, season the dish to taste with salt and pepper.

Buon appetito!

 

🌱  🍋 🌿

 

Just Released!

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 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.

 

 

 

Simple Summer Italian Salad #recipe by @LeslieKarst

  

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

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.