This modernising autocrat once said in his ghost-written autobiography: "A beansprout never strays far from the beanpole."

Meanwhile, Murray, for all his power and for all his subtlety, began to look like the cartoon beansprout of old.

Hands shot up all over the room like a bed of beansprouts.

Stir through the noodles, and add the radish, dried shrimp, beansprouts, chives and peanuts.

Add the beansprouts and a dash more wine.

Add beansprouts and cook, tossing, 2 minutes.

If the flavours in the bowl are Asian, a handful of beansprouts and coriander add crunch and attitude.

Grilled halibut had a sharply spicy topping and came with beansprouts (I think), green sauce and amaranth flowers.