Step 1

HEAT OVEN to 375F/190C. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2

MAKE EGG MIXTURE: In a small bowl, mix together water, egg, salt, pepper and mustard powder.

Step 3

PREPARE PUFF PASTRY CHEESE TWISTS: Unroll the two sheets of puff pastry dough onto a lightly floured cutting board or parchment paper. Each sheet should be about 12 x 10 inch rectangle/30 x 25 cm (stretch a bit if needed). Brush on egg mixture and cheese: Lightly brush beaten egg mixture on puff pastry sheets with a pastry brush. Sprinkle on cheese and thyme (if using) evenly. Press down gently with the heel of your hand (or a rolling pin) to make cheese stick to the dough. Cut into strips: Using a pizza cutter or knife, cut first sheet into about 12 strips. Also cut the strips in half if you want 48 shorter twists instead of 24 longer ones. Repeat with 2nd sheet of dough.Twist: Holding each end of a strip with two hands, twist strips in opposite directions into a corkscrew and lay them on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all strips have been twisted. Leave a little space (about 1/2 inch/1.3 cm) between each cheese straw as they will expand a bit.

Step 4

BAKE: Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese twists are golden brown. Turn baking sheets half way through for more even browning.