Smitten by French Apples@INTERFEL.

INTERFEL, the French Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Interprofessional Association, has returned to Hong Kong! They have brought us the latest series of sustainable French apples, and I am honored to be a guest once again. France, blessed with favorable conditions, produces over 100 varieties of apples. Growers actively adopt sustainable agricultural practices such as precision irrigation, soil management, and environmentally friendly pest control to ensure the healthy growth of apple trees. These measures not only protect the environment but also ensure a sustainable supply of apples, allowing us to enjoy such high-quality and delicious apple products. Thank you to the organizers for preparing such adorable apple decorations for us. Although they are not edible, they are incredibly attractive. We kicked off the event with fine wine and a cheese platter. Then, Daniel Soares, the International Director of INTERFEL, gave us a grand introduction to French apples. Next, the famous French chef Charles Soussin took the stage! It's been a year since we last met, and he still looks as impressive as ever. He demonstrated how to transform apples into amazing dishes, which made me very excited. On this day, Chef Charles prepared Apple Wellington Beef Bites and Basil Curd Crispy Apple Donuts for us. I learned many techniques during the process, and he even shared the recipes. It's genuinely not difficult, and you can definitely try it at home. He started by making the pancake batter for the Wellington beef. He added apple pieces and chives to the pancake batter and cooked it until fragrant. I absolutely loved the tool Chef used to slice thin apple pieces. With just a few quick movements, he produced thin apple slices, which he used to wrap the beef, allowing the apple flavor to infuse into the meat. After seasoning the beef, he wrapped it in the pancake and then in puff pastry, brushed it with egg wash, and put it in the oven. Next, he prepared the side dishes by coating all the vegetables in olive oil and butter, adding fresh and dried rosemary, and cooking them until fragrant. The rosemary-smoked vegetables immediately filled the air with a wonderful aroma. Then it was time to make the apple donuts! Chef cut the apples into rings, dipped them in batter, and fried them until they looked like donuts. Finally, he sprinkled them with powdered sugar. By this time, the Wellington beef was ready to come out of the oven! The tender pink meat was mouth-watering. At this moment, everyone couldn't wait to dig in. The Apple Wellington Beef Bites were full of sweet apple flavor, and my friend said the beef was incredibly tender and delicious. I particularly loved the Basil Curd Crispy Apple Donuts! The sweet basil curd paired perfectly with the crispy and sweet apple donuts. I loved how Chef added basil to elevate the flavor. I learned many cooking techniques that day and gained a lot. French apples are about to enter their peak season and will be available in major supermarkets in Hong Kong. In the coming months, INTERFEL will host a series of fun consumer activities at various retail locations, including tastings, interactive games, street promotions, and more. Everyone is invited to experience the endless charm of French apples firsthand!