Michelin-starred chef apprentices create Taiwanese-style Christmas recipes featuring sweet potatoes and sorghum

▲Olivier Jean, a protégé of three-Michelin-starred chef Joël Robuchon, demonstrates a Christmas dinner recipe. (Photo / Taken by reporter Huang Shiyuan)

Reported by Huang Shiyuan / Taipei

Christmas is just around the corner, and if you want to cook a festive meal but find it too daunting, HowToTrip’s exclusive French food brand in Taiwan — “Horizon & Song” — has specially invited three-Michelin-starred chef Joël Robuchon and his protégé Olivier Jean to create three “Taiwan-flavored” Christmas recipes using Horizon & Song products, incorporating local sweet potatoes and Kinmen kaoliang liquor.

The three Christmas recipes include the appetizer “Duck Liver Mousse with Sweet Potato,” the main course “Spiced Pumpkin Purée with Confit Duck,” and the dessert “Caramel Apple Crêpes.” Olivier Jean, head chef at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Taipei, explained that he first drafted these recipes, which were then reviewed and approved by Chef Robuchon himself — so they carry his full endorsement.

For the appetizer “Duck Liver Mousse with Sweet Potato,” the rich flavor of duck liver is paired with the sweet and smooth texture of Taiwanese sweet potatoes. Why sweet potatoes? Olivier Jean said duck liver has a heavy, slightly salty taste, and the sweetness of the sweet potato balances it perfectly. He also shared that after arriving in Taiwan, he once tried street-side roasted sweet potatoes and instantly fell in love with their texture and sweetness.

The main course is “Spiced Pumpkin Purée with Confit Duck,” where the uniquely smooth and sweet Taiwanese pumpkin is combined with confit duck meat and skin, creating a delightful interplay of sweet and savory flavors. As for the dessert “Caramel Apple Crêpes,” the soft Horizon & Song crêpes are cooked with milk custard, paired with fresh apples infused with 38% Kinmen kaoliang liquor — Taiwan’s unique spirit — offering a soft crêpe texture with the crisp, slightly tart flavor of apples.

Speaking of Kinmen kaoliang, Olivier Jean mentioned that he first tried it during a work gathering with colleagues — it was the 58% version. He laughed as he recalled falling in love with it from the very first sip. He described Kinmen kaoliang as having a distinct sweetness and aromatic depth, which, when blended with apples and milk custard, creates a bolder overall flavor.

The “Reflets de France Horizon & Song” Christmas recipes are now available for free at 30 Carrefour stores across Taiwan, and can also be downloaded and printed online.

Christmas Appetizer: Duck Liver Mousse with Sweet Potato
Difficulty: Easy (Serves 4)
Prep Time: 120 minutes
Ingredients:
Reflets de France Horizon & Song Duck Liver Pâté: 1 jar
Large Sweet Potatoes: 2
Olive Oil: 75 ml
Sherry Vinegar: 2 tablespoons
Finely Chopped Shallots: 1
Finely Chopped Chives: 0.5 stalk
Arugula Leaves: To taste
Reflets de France Horizon & Song Guérande Fleur de Sel: To taste
Black Pepper: To taste
Espelette Chili Powder: To taste (or other chili powder)
Cherry Radishes (optional, to taste): 1
Parmesan Cheese: To taste
Thyme: 2 sprigs
Garlic Clove: 1

Christmas Main Course: Spiced Pumpkin Purée with Confit Duck
Difficulty: Easy (Serves 4)
Preparation time: 90 minutes
Ingredients:
Reflets de France Huafasong Southwest Confited Duck Leg: 1 can (contains 2 duck legs)
Unsalted butter: 50 grams
Fresh thyme: 1 sprig (leaves only)
Minced garlic: 1 clove
Coriander seeds (or a suitable amount of coriander leaves): 1 teaspoon
Spring onion: 1 stalk (white part minced)
Diced fresh mushrooms: 50 grams
Coarsely chopped parsley: 1 tablespoon
Chicken stock: 200 milliliters
Reflets de France Huafasong Guérande Fleur de Sel: to taste
Black pepper: to taste
Endive (frisée lettuce): 150 grams (or fresh herbs)
Chestnut pumpkin: 1 (or Japanese variety pumpkin)
Whole milk: 300 milliliters
Unsalted butter: 150 grams

Christmas dessert > Caramel Apple Crêpes
Difficulty: Easy (serves 4)
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
Reflets de France Huafasong Brittany Crêpes: 1 box (6 pieces)
Reflets de France Huafasong Normandy Caramel Milk Spread: 2 tablespoons
Reflets de France Huafasong Butter Puff Pastry: 1 box (6 pieces)
Carrefour Premium Gala Apples: 2 (pieces)
38° Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor: 100 milliliters
Whipped fresh cream: 2 tablespoons
Vanilla ice cream: to taste