While ordering dinner at his club, Blades, in Moonraker (1955), M is persuaded by the head steward to have a marrow bone after his dessert of strawberries. He confesses to the steward that he can’t resist them. Marrow bones can be cut across the bone to form a tube and presented on their ends (as in M’s case) or chopped in half along the length of the bone. M’s marrow bone, propped up with a lace napkin, appears to be without accompaniments, but for a slightly more substantial dish, serve the bone with toast and some capers, or, as I suggest below, caperberries.

Recipe (serves two)

• 2 beef marrow bones
• Finely-chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper
• 2 slices toast
• 6-8 caperberries

Heat the oven to 220C (200C fan-assisted, 430F). Lay the marrow bones in an oven dish or deep baking tray. Sprinkle parsley, salt and pepper over the tops of the bones and place the dish or tray in the oven. Cook for 20 minutes, by which time the marrow should be bubbling and slightly puffy. Transfer the bones to plates and serve with toast and caperberries.