apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

How does one clean a basting brush? Well, it's a pastry brush, but we're using it for basting.

Anyway... there is no dishwasher, by the way, and it's the real-bristle kind; not the nylon kind.

Seems like it might be weird to just use Dawn, but that's what I have. Or should I just pour boiling water on it, so I'm not adding detergent, and yet killing the germs?

curtis, try swishing it around in a large bowl of boiling water with a few drops of bleach in it. then rinse well. this is a good way to sanitize a cutting board, too.

I've always used dishwashing liquid and hot water to clean basting brushes. No salmonella yet...

There's a charity bake sale today where I work. I made maple-walnut scones and banana chocolate mini loaves early this morning to contribute to the sale (which will benefit a local women's shelter). It took loads of willpower not to eat a scone!
What's everyone cooking today?

i don't know about you guys, but all i want to eat today is salad.

Liz, I hear ya! Even if it wasn't Thanksgiving here, I can practically feel the heaviness in your plea. I often do miso soup and seaweed salad after Christmas to clear my system. Think light thoughts!

Maybe I'm the only one, then. The day after Thanksgiving, a month ago, I had hot turkey sandwiches (which I love), even while cooking up turkey stock and turkey chili.

After going home for t- giving I came home with enough leftovers for about 5 thanksgiving meals as well as other desserts. I am one stuffed turkey! Thanksgiving leftovers= YUM, my favorite!

I am glad that Thanksgiving is over.....Lots of preparation etc.....eating leftovers today at work...but tonight we are having pasta with marinara sauce....I like the idea that there is no gifts or obligations involved

I've been eating open faced turkey sandwiches for lunch. Tonight, I'm whipping up some turkey enchiladas w/ spinach sauce, a recipe I adapted from an old Sunset cookbook.

We had no turkey left over!!! We did a big party and told everyone to pack up with leftovers and we ended up with no turkey, I am happy and sad about this all at the same time. Glad they liked the turkey enough to want to eat more of it, but sad as we have leftover rolls and no turkey to put in it. Oh well, last night for dinner we had grilled cheese and some soup. I have a feeling this whole weekend we won't eat anything that takes more then 20 minutes to make:)

Does anyone have an idea for delicata squash-- I bought two at WF, just because they looked cool. I'm going to cut them into rounds, brush them with olive oil and roast unless there's a better idea out there. I think dinner tonight will be salmon, delicata squash and a soup that I just made...a spicey tomato soup with lentils and chick peas.

I'll tell you what I'd be extra-thankful for right about now: a product (or homemade formula) that'll clean my oven without making me feel like I'm going to pass out from the chemical smell.

Suggestions?

Kristen, I have used baking soda with only limited success. The key problem is that it really only works on horizontal surfaces. Damn gravity!

Spread a thin layer of baking soda on the surface to be cleaned. Spray with water so it's kinda pasty. Keep it damp by respraying as needed, for as long as you want (I did this for an afternoon). Scrub with scouring pad (I used a thin green thing). Rinse thoroughly.