Fantasy Veggie Dinner Guest - CHARLES ANTHONY BRUNO

Patricia Highsmith knew how to create a psychopathic playboy, These days, her Mr Ripley is probably the best known, but in 1951 Alfred Hitchcock made Strangers on a Train into the ultimate film thriller. 

The premise is so simple: two people share a few hours of a train journey together. They both have a personal dilemma and they joke about how they could solve each other's problem (criss-cross). 

But then it becomes much more sinister. Charles Anthony Bruno takes it upon himself to deliver his half of the hypothetical deal and then demands an awful lot in return of the reluctant Guy Haines.

So, how great would it be to have Charles to dinner?

CRISS-CROSS TART

Serves 2 – 3

3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 small onion. chopped
1 sheet ready rolled puff pastry
1 egg
2tbsp sour cream
handful of fresh coriander (leaves and stalks)
2tbsp olive oil
salt and black pepper

Toss the sweet potato in most of the olive oil.

Roast in a baking tray at 200˚C/ Gas 6 for about 20 minutes, turning halfway through. Remove from the oven and, if soft, allow to cool.

Heat the rest of the oil in a pan and gently fry the onion. 

Put in a food processor with the onion and sour cream.

Blitz to make a thick paste, then add the coriander.

Blitz again.

Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
Beat the egg with a little water to make a wash. 

Unroll the pastry sheet and cut into two.

Cut a 1cm border from one half (like a picture frame) and place it on top of the other, sticking them together with some of the beaten egg. Prick the base with a fork.

Cook in the oven for about 5 minutes.

Then, spread the sweet potato mixture over the base, leaving the border clear.

Use the remaining pastry to make a lattice over the top.
Brush with the remaining egg wash.

Cook for 20-25 minutes until golden.

Lovely served with some Leek Gratin.