Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius/ 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Unroll the puff pastry on the working surface. Spread the tomato paste evenly all over the pastry. Sprinkle the pastry with the freshly grated Parmesan and with dried herbs.

Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife cut the pastry into strips that are as long as the short side of the rolled pastry and about 2 cm/ 0.8 inches wide.

Fold one-half of the stripes, lengthwise, over the other half.

Start twisting the sticks on one side and keep twisting until you have reached the middle of the stick.

Then leave that side alone and start twisting the other side but in the opposite direction, until you have reached the middle of the stick again.

So, if you started twisting towards your body on the first side, twist away from your body on the second side. This way you will have a perfectly twisted stick.

Place the cheese straws on the baking tray and press both ends well to prevent the sticks from unfolding.

In a small bowl mix together the egg yolk and the milk. Brush the sticks with this mixture. Sprinkle with Nigella or sesame seeds.

Bake the puff pastry sticks for about 12 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown. Regard the packet's instructions concerning the baking times as well.

Transfer to wire racks to cool.