Asparagus and anchovy twists Recipe

Asparagus and anchovy twists Recipe

  • 6 tinned anchovy fillets
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 200g/7oz all butter puff pastry
  • 12 asparagus tips, about 12cm/5in long
  • 1 free-range egg, mixed with 1 tbsp milk, for egg-wash
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
  2. Crush the anchovies in a pestle and mortar and mix in the olive oil to make a spreadable paste.
  3. Roll out the puff pastry into a rectangle 24x16cm/10x6in, and approximately 4mm thick.
  4. Spread the anchovy paste over the puff pastry as evenly as you can, right to the edges. Cut into 12 strips across the width, each about 2cm/¾in wide.
  5. Take the first strip and place the bottom of the asparagus at the bottom of the strip at a 45-degree angle. Roll it up along the pastry, wrapping the pastry as you go. Place the twist on the baking tray and repeat with the remaining asparagus tips and pastry strips. When all the twists are on the tray, use a pastry brush to brush the pastry lightly with the egg wash. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on the pastry.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes, or until crisp and puffy.