There’s a reason so many people give up on homemade paneer after one disappointing attempt. It comes out rubbery, crumbly, or just tastes nothing like the soft, melt-in-the-mouth cubes you get from a good sweet shop, and most people quietly decide it’s easier to just buy it from the store from then on. But the truth is, paneer is one of the simplest things you can make at home, needing just three ingredients you almost certainly already have. The difference between soft, creamy paneer and a chewy, disappointing block usually comes down to a couple of small details most recipes gloss over, and once you know them, this becomes one of those things you’ll never buy from a shop again.