PERFECT PANEER

This Indian curd cheese is delicious when paired with strong flavours, and incredibly versatile, too, as Chetna Makan proves with these inspiring dishes

- Chetna Makan

Paneer, an Indian cheese, is made with milk that requires no ageing or culturing. It is used a lot in Indian cooking - I try to have a couple of blocks of paneer in the fridge at all times. It's so simple to prepare a snack or meal in minutes with this wonderful ingredient, which is one of the reasons I love it. As paneer has no real flavour and no salt, it acts as a sponge to soak up spices or any other flavours we want to add. Paneer is great in pakoras, sandwiches, curries, rice, flatbreads and even sweets. It's super-simple to make at home, but if you don't want to go down that route, then it's easily available in all supermarkets, too.

Paneer & cheddar sandwich

If you're a fan of a cheese sandwich, then this is one you must try. The caramelised onion, mustard and cumin seeds add a layer of flavour to the otherwise humble cheese sandwich. Paneer soaks up all the flavours, and cheddar lends to the cheesiness. I grew up eating a version of this sandwich, made by my mum, and now it is my kids' favourite, too.

SERVES 4 PREP 15 mins COOK 15 mins EASY V

• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• 1 green chilli, finely chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• handful of chives, finely sliced
• 40g cheddar, grated
• 225g paneer, grated
• salted butter, for spreading and frying
• 8 slices of white bread
• mango chutney, to serve (optional)

1 Heat the oil in a pan and add the mustard and cumin seeds. When they start to pop, add the chilli and onion, and cook over medium heat for 10-12 mins until the onions begin to caramelise.