In the thick of this July heat, nobody has time to spend hours standing over the stove or watching a hot oven. Refreshing recipes are the name of the game this week, and we have a handful of mains, sides and drinks that you can get on the table in as little as five minutes flat. To help keep things cooler in the kitchen, chef and author of “Kintsugi Wellness” Candice Kumai stopped by TODAY to share her favorite fresh and fast summer meals to enjoy throughout the month.
First up on the docket, Kumai whipped up a bright salmon salad served over bibb lettuce, with a lemon Dijon vinaigrette that can be prepped up to one week ahead. It’s the perfect light lunch or dinner, but also pairs well with some hearty sweet potatoes — hers are roasted with spicy chili powder and a squeeze of lime. Looking to make the most of this season’s produce? Try a quick, 20-minute pasta packed with zucchini, corn and tomatoes and tossed in a creamy avocado pesto. And if you need a switch-up from hot coffee as your afternoon pick-me-up, an iced strawberry matcha latte should do the trick.
Craving these easy summer bites? We’ve made it even easier for you. Shop all the recipes — plus, a few tools you may need — below.
Candice Kumai’s summer recipes
This honey miso glazed salmon salad is fresh, colorful and nourishing without feeling heavy. The salmon is glazed with miso, rice vinegar, honey and roasted sesame oil for a savory-sweet umami flavor, then served over crisp bibb lettuce with snap peas, radishes, cucumber and a bright lemon Dijon vinaigrette. It is the perfect easy summer meal, and the honey miso marinade also works beautifully on chicken, tofu, cod or your favorite protein.
These miso chili lime sweet potatoes are sweet, savory, bright and just a little spicy. The miso adds beautiful umami depth, the lime keeps everything fresh and the maple syrup or honey helps the sweet potatoes caramelize as they roast. It’s a gorgeous summer side dish that looks beautiful served straight from the baking dish and pairs perfectly with miso glazed salmon, grilled chicken or a fresh summer salad.
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Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta with Summer Vegetables
This creamy avocado pesto pasta is fresh, bright and perfect for summer. The avocado adds a silky texture without making the dish feel heavy, while basil, lemon, almonds and a touch of white miso create a vibrant pesto full of flavor. Tossed with pasta, zucchini and summer vegetables, it’s an easy, feel-good meal that comes together beautifully.
This strawberry matcha latte is fresh, vibrant and perfect for summer, with sweet strawberry purée, creamy almond milk and smooth matcha layered beautifully over ice.
