G is for Green Bean Twisters

 

Green bean twists are based on something I created for asparagus spears. I cooked the beans in boiling water for just three minutes, drained them and let them cool down. I thought if I could present the bean attractively, creating a bit of a diversion, the bean-hater might be bamboozled. The beans were divided into groups of four. I cut thin strips of puff pastry and wrapped them round the bean in a spiral. I brushed them with egg and sprinkled grated parmesan on top and placed them in the oven for about 20 minutes at 180C until the pastry was golden brown. Alexandra named them Green Bean Twisters. She already understands the importance of a catchy name for Freddie's vegetables. And it worked. Despite his distrust of beans, he liked the look of this dish. He even ate one without making a fuss. And another. That means he consumed 8 green beans. Parenthood is made up of small triumphs that no-one else can quite appreciate: using a potty, sleeping in a big bed, learning to tie shoelaces and in our house eating 8 green beans. Freddie was less generous with his scoring, giving 7 out of 10. "And that is only for the pastry, not the green bean."