Sometimes even recipes that are a smashing success on the first test benefit from a little more tinkering. Case in point: a risotto recipe we’ve been testing recently. In the first test, everyone loved it: the flavors melded together beautifully, and the texture of the rice was creamy but still al dente, the way a good risotto ought to be.

But in a second test yesterday, an unexpected snag cropped up: The texture was still spot on, but now the dish was overly salty. We hadn’t changed anything about the seasoning, so at first we were pretty baffled by the discrepancy.  Then we realized that we had used two different brands of store-brought chicken broths for the two tests.  It was amazing how much difference the two broths made in the saltiness of the dish.

We tend to use the same broth for all of our recipes, but every once in a while we test with other brands. We find that once you find a product you like, it’s a good idea to stick with it: this way you know how it works with your other ingredients. If you’re using a different brand than you’re used to, check the sodium level and adjust any salt you add accordingly. What brands of broth are you loyal to?  Have you found a broth that you love and stand behind or do you grab the closest can on the grocery shelf?  Let us know!