Do you love apples? It's actually one of my favorite fruits and I'll always bring home some whenever I'm at a grocer because this is the tastiest way to keep the doctor away. This Raya festive season, Heartland Group is putting a uniquely Malaysian twist on their much-loved apples with their ‘Amboi Ambrosia” campaign.

Ambrosia Apples are refreshingly sweet and have a crunchy, crispy texture. These delectable apples are grown in idyllic New Zealand’s South Island city of Nelson, along the eastern shores of Tasman Bay. Usually, apples are a part of classic desserts like apple pies, apple tarts or you can eat it out of hand but have you ever thought of incorporating apples into a savory dish?



To launch Amboi Ambrosia campaign, renowned Malaysian culinary master, Datuk Chef Wan was invited to showcase three delicious, easy to make dishes inspired by Malaysia’s treasured culinary history Ambrosia Grilled Calamari Salad, Tom Yum Pumpkin Soup with Ambrosia Apples, Ambrosia Apple Chutney, all enhanced with the flavorsome tastes of Ambrosia Apples.


Ambrosia Grilled Calamari Salad is so delicious, I love how apples are able to add texture to the dish.

Ingredients:
3 New Zealand Luv'ya Ambrosia Apple, sliced into thin strips
400 gm Calamari, grilled or pan fried
¼ Young Papaya, cut into strips
A handful of Fresh Mint Leaves
A handful of Coriander Leaves, chopped
3 tbsp Palm Sugar
2 tbsp Fish Sauce
2 Limes, juiced

For Chilli Garlic Paste (pound together)
3 Red Chillies
3 Cili Padi
3 Garlic

Steps:
#1 In a bowl, add palm sugar, chili garlic paste, fish sauce, and lime juice. Mix well.
#2 Add in the New Zealand Luv'ya Ambrosia Apple, calamari, papaya, mint leaves, and coriander leaves. Toss until well mixed and ready to serve.



Tom Yum Pumpkin Soup with Ambrosia Apples was an amazing twist, this is such a brilliant idea, you could taste the mild spicy tomyam at the same time adding in apples is able to bring a tint of fruit freshness to the dish.

Ingredients:
2 New Zealand Luv'ya Ambrosia Apple, diced
4 tbsp Butter
1 Onion, diced
500 gm Pumpkin, diced
3 tbsp Tom Yum Paste
170 gm Canned Tuna
250 ml Coconut Milk
2.5 L Chicken Stock
2 cm Ginger, crushed
1 Lemongrass, crushed
A handful of Coriander Leaves, chopped
Salt and Sugar, to taste

Steps:
#1 In a pot, melt butter over medium heat and fry the onion and pumpkin until soft.
#2 Add in the New Zealand Luv'ya Ambrosia Apple, tom yum paste, canned tuna, coconut milk, chicken stock ginger, and lemongrass. Stir and let simmer for 15 minutes.
#3 Remove the ginger and lemongrass, add in the coriander leaves and stir. Transfer the soup into a blender and blend to a fine consistency.
#4 In a separate pot, pour in the blended soup and let it simmer. Season with salt and sugar.



Ambrosia Apple Chutney is my absolute favorite, it's warm, sweet and spicy at the same time, the combination of the sweet apples, spicy chutney and curry give us robust flavors.

Ingredients:
5 New Zealand Luv'ya Ambrosia Apple, diced
3 tbsp Butter
1 Onion, finely chopped
6 Garlic Cloves, minced
4 cm Ginger, minced
2 Cinnamon Sticks
4 Cloves
2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tbsp Curry Powder
1 cup Yellow Raisins, soaked in hot water
A handful of Coriander Leaves
2 Green Chillies, chopped
6 Dates, pitted and chopped
¼ cup Cider Vinegar
1 cup Sugar
Salt, to taste

Steps:
#1 In a pot, melt butter over medium heat and sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger for 3 minutes.
#2 Add in the cinnamon sticks, cloves, turmeric powder, and curry powder. Continue frying for a few minutes before adding in the New Zealand Luv'ya Ambrosia Apple, raisins, coriander leaves, green chilies, dates, cider vinegar, and sugar.
#3 Season with salt and cook for a few minutes before turning off the heat.
#4 Let the cooked chutney to cool down before storing it.



Ambrosia Apples are the product of Heartland Group’s patented method, Applecraft™ that guides the management of every step of an apple’s life through rigorous integrated quality processes. This is at the core of the company’s ability to deliver some of the world’s best apples to customers, every time.

The Heartland Group made up of passionate pomologists (apple growers) based in Nelson, New Zealand. Together they produce a range of apples called Luv’ya™ apples through their unique vertically integrated structure that includes their own orchards, pack houses, and marketing company allowing the company to have full control over every part of the apple’s journey.

The other apples in the Luv’ya range include old favorites such as Royal Gala, Fuji, and Braeburn. They also grow proprietary varieties such as the sweet, tart and popular Pink Lady™, sweet and tangy bright red Eve™, and the juicy and firm Smitten™ amongst other varieties.

Ambrosia Apples and the other delicious apples in the Luv’ya™ range can be found at GCH Retail Malaysia outlets including Giant Hypermarkets, Cold Storage and Jason’s Food Hall as well as other major retailers.