Sha Tin 18, a three-star EatSmart Restaurant (ESR) in Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, has committed to promoting healthy eating since 2019 when it first joined the “EatSmart Restaurant Star+” Campaign (ESR Star+ Campaign). Mr Cheung Hong-man, the Executive Chef of the hotel, hopes to provide more healthy choices to customers through continuously creating new dishes. Embracing the principles of “less meat, more vegetables” and “less oil, salt and sugar”, Mr Cheung brings out the healthy flavours of each dish by using seasonal ingredients and creative cooking methods.

Creative Pairings of Seasonal Ingredients

Mr Cheung likes to go to the market, where he gets inspirations for new dishes. He is good at exploring different seasonal ingredients, filling each “EatSmart Dish” with surprises through creative pairings. Among these dishes, “Simmered Luffas, Enoki Mushrooms and Cordyceps Flowers in Soya Milk” makes use of angled luffas, which are in season during summer, as the main ingredient. Unlike the traditional way of using broth, home-made soya milk is used as the base instead, blending the sweetness of the angled luffas with the umami of the mushrooms in an ingenious way. Soya milk not only adds a smooth texture to the dish, but also boosts its nutritional value by offering protein, potassium and other micronutrients in particular. While enjoying the delicacy, customers may obtain more nutrients to help keep their muscles healthy as well as their blood pressure in an ideal range. Moreover, just like the angled luffas, the mushrooms used are rich in dietary fibre. In addition to promoting gut health, they also add umami and a layer of texture to the dish, elevating its overall taste while retaining the natural flavours of the ingredients.

Creating Healthy Dishes for Summer with the Heart

Another dish suitable for consumption in summer, “Stir-fried Sweet Potato Leaves with Assyrian Plums and Chilli”, also reflects Mr Cheung’s dedication to the pairings of ingredients. Presenting the pairing of sweet potato leaves, the high-fibre and nutritious main ingredient, with Assyrian plums, garlic and cone peppers, this dish is colourful, aromatic, tasty and nutritious. Containing β-carotene and potassium, sweet potato leaves help keep our eyes healthy and our blood pressure in an ideal range. Moreover, the slightly sour taste of Assyrian plums blended with the smooth texture of sweet potato leaves, together with the strong flavour of garlic as well as the spiciness of cone peppers, aids in reducing the use of seasonings that are high in salt or sugar, making the dish healthy and nutritious while adding layers of flavours.