Cheese sauce

Ingredients25g/1oz butter25g/1oz plain flour400–500ml/14–18fl oz milk80g/3oz cheese, grated (e.g. mature cheese" class="recipe-ingredients__link">Cheddar, Gouda, gruyère)salt and white pepper

Melt the butter in a saucepan.

Stir in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes.

Take the pan off the heat and gradually stir in the milk to get a smooth sauce. Return to the heat and, stirring all the time, bring to the boil.

Simmer gently for 8–10 minutes and season with salt and pepper.

Stir in cheese and allow to melt. Don't re-boil the sauce or it will become stringy.