By Rajlakshmi
March 19, 2026
A famous Bengali meal called bhapa chhana entails heating cottage cheese, or paneer, in a steamer with a mixture of carefully selected spices until it gets the perfect texture and flavour.
250g paneer or cottage cheese 5-6 green chillis ½ bunch coriander leaves 75g plain curd 1 tbsp yellow mustard seeds, soaked 1 tbsp poppy seeds 1 tbsp black mustard seeds, soaked 2 tbsp coconut paste ¼ turmeric powder Salt, to taste Mustard oil, as needed
Grind black mustard seeds and yellow mustard seeds into a paste.
Grind poppy seeds into a paste. Add the pastes to the paneer or cottage cheese.
Add the turmeric powder, coriander leaves, chillies and salt to taste. Add mustard oil too.
Mash and mix. Transfer into the container. Place the container in a pressure cooker or deep vessel.
For the pressure cooker, add water, close the lid and cook on medium heat for 2 whistles. For the vessel, cook on a low flame for 15 minutes.
Once cooked through, let it cool. Serve with rice or roti.