Healthwise In Hong Kong Part 2 : Savoring Vegetarian Delights

My RCTV Channel 36 daily show Healthwise went to Hong Kong, courtesy of Cebu Pacific, to shoot a couple of episodes. The one on Hong Kong sights and accommodations was aired in early December and I did an article on our excellent stay in the Rhombus Group’s properties: Hotel Bonaparte in Hong Kong and Hotel Panorama in Kowloon . This one on food is now airing.

I was initiated to vegetarian dishes by my late mother-in-law, Mama Diu Eng, who was Buddhist, when she would give me temple offerings of veggie dumplings and whatnots. I was hesitant at first until I savored the first morsel – hmmm, they were delicious! That’s why, as I had educated my sons, I always insist that one must have a try first before deciding that one does not like something.

Kung Tak Lam Shanghai Vegetarian Restaurant (7th Flr, 1 Peking Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon), at almost 20 years old, is one of the best, and therefore expensive, vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong. If not obviously for the exceptional items on the menu, here is another item that may draw you to Kung Tak Lam: its very hospitable key person is someone who spent sometime in the Philippines, with some relatives still here, but who would rather be unnamed. Let’s just call him “Mayon.”

Executive Chef Hong Malai Pornchai, a young looking (he has years of experience as chef!) ever-smiling Thai-Chinese, generously shared with us the recipes of the dishes we savored during that mid-afternoon shoot. Despite our earlier multi-course haute cuisine lunch at Sta. Lucia Restaurant of Hotel Panorama with its CEO/Founder Mr. Calvin Mak, we managed to clean up all the dishes before us. That proves how good Kung Tak Lam veggie concoctions are! Please take note that this is Shanghainese, not the usual Cantonese, vegetarian cuisine. And Shanghai cuisine is one of the most sophisticated in the world.

Pasta Types

•BUCATINI

These long, hollow spaghetti-like tubes are unusual and fun! Try them in casseroles or Asian stir-fries, or tossed with a fresh tomato sauce.

•CANNELLONI

”Large reeds” in Italian, this is a large, tubular pasta with a smooth texture. It is usually boiled, stuffed with a cheese or meat filling, and baked in a sauce. Cannelloni are larger than manicotti.

•CAPELLINI

Also known as “angel hair” pasta, the long, delicate strands are an appropriate match for almost any sauce. Try serving capellini with a walnut, garlic, and mushroom cream sauce, for an exceptional side.

•CONCHIGLIE

This pasta takes its name from the Italian “conch shell.” It comes in several sizes, and can be used in a striking variety of presentations. Stuff large shells (try a ricotta, pine nut, and spinach mixture, smothered with marinara sauce), toss mid-sized shells with chunky sauces, and use the tiniest ones in soups or casseroles.

•COUSCOUS

Many people assume couscous is a grain, but it is actually granular little pearls of semolina pasta. It is a staple in North African cuisine, where it is often used to scoop up stew-like dishes. You can purchase couscous in Middle Eastern and health food stores and most supermarkets.       

•DITALI

Italian for “thimbles,” ditali are medium-sized, short tubes with smooth sides. Like most short pasta shapes, ditali are excellent used in soups, pasta salads, and to stand up to chunky sauces.

•ELBOW MACARONI 

This short, curved, tubular pasta is a favorite for macaroni and cheese and cold salads.

•FARFALLE

”Butterfly” in Italian, farfalle is also known as bow-tie pasta. It can be used in any dish that calls for small pasta shapes, such as penne or shells.

• FETTUCCIA

Wider than fettuccine, with one ruffled edge, fettuccia looks like half a lasagna noodle. Substitute fettucia in your favorite lasagna recipes for an elegant touch, or pair this substantial noodle with any sauce that has a lot of body.

• FETTUCCINE

Fettuccine is an egg pasta cut into long, narrow ribbons. It is wider than linguine, but is a fine as a substitute for linguine in most recipes. It is often served with cream sauces, as in the classic Fettuccine Alfredo.

• FUSILLE

Also known as rotelle, which means “small wheels” in Italian, this pasta has more of a spiral shape. It comes in several varieties: short and thick, short and thin, and long and thin.        

•GNOCCHI 

These “little dumplings” are typically made from a potato or semolina dough. They are boiled and served with rich sauces; tomato-based or herb and butter sauces also work well.           

• LASAGNA 

This term refers to both a long, wide noodle and to the baked dish made with these noodles. The pasta is flat with either straight or curly edges. It is usually boiled, then layered with cheese, meat, and either a tomato-based or cream-based sauce. The casserole is then baked.    

•LINGUINE

These long, flat noodles are somewhat thicker than spaghetti. The name means “little tongues” in Italian.

• MANICOTTI

These noodles are large and tubular; they can have either a ridged or smooth texture. Manicotti are filled with cheese or meat fillings, and then baked. The term also refers to a dish of stuffed manicotti, usually with a tomato sauce.

•ORZO

Orzo means “barley,” which is what this distinctive, tiny rice-like pasta resembles. Orzo is wonderful in soups and salads. Season the cooked orzo with salt and pepper, lemon, olive oil, and dill, and serve chilled for a tangy Mediterranean side salad.  

•PENNE

These two-inch long tubular macaroni are sometimes referred to as mostaccioli. The noodles are diagonally cut at the ends, and very much resemble the “quill pen” for which they are named. This pasta is good with chunky meat or vegetable sauces.           

• RADIATORE

Radiatore is Italian for “radiator,” which is what these thick, ruffled pasta segments resemble. Like most sturdy pasta shapes, radiatore stand out when served with hearty, chunky sauces, or tossed with veggies in a fresh pasta salad.         

•RAVIOLI

Ravioli are little square pillows of dough filled with finely ground or chopped fillings. The Italian name translates as “little turnip.” The ever-popular ravioli can be served with a sauce or in soups.

•RIGATONI

These short, grooved tubes can be used in casseroles and pasta salads, and are suitable for almost any sauce.

•ROTINE

This kid favorite resembles short corkscrews. Bits of cheese, meat, or vegetables will cling to the grooves in rotini, so this is a great pasta to serve with chunky sauces.

•RUOTE

This wagon-wheel-shaped pasta is a fun way to liven up goulash or mac and cheese. Since the “spokes” can hold lots of sauce or vegetables, try pairing ruote with thick, chunky sauces.

•STELLINE

These dainty little star shapes perk up any broth. Use them in your favorite chicken noodle soup recipe to transform a tasty standard into an eye-catching treat.

•TORTELLINI

These versatile rings of pasta can be stuffed with many types of savory fillings. The pasta is then folded in half, and the two ends are brought together to make a ring shape. Multi-colored pasta indicates the addition of beets, tomatoes, spinach, or squid ink for color and flavor. Tortellini can be drizzled with good olive oil, garlic, herbs, and parmesan cheese, paired with hearty sauces, or served in soups.

• VERMICELLI

”Little worms” in Italian, vermicelli are fine strands of spaghetti. Use as a bed for sauced meat dishes, or toss with either a creamy or tomato-based sauce.

• ZITI

A slender, tubular pasta, ziti stands up to hearty sauces and is well-suited for use in baked pasta dishes.