I spent most of yesterday in the kitchen measuring, chopping, dicing, beating, baking and cooking preparing a meal for people I didn’t even know. Such is the life of the corporate housewife. (Can you picture me in my frilly apron, my sweaty brow smeared with flour?) Dave wanted to welcome a couple who were relocating to the C’ville area. Having made so many moves ourselves, we know what a difference it makes when someone takes the time to help you settle in so we in turn, do the same.
My first task was to choose a menu. I dove into my cookbooks and then onto the web to find the perfect recipes eventually deciding on a honey lime pork tenderloin with mango salsa and rice pilaf. For dessert I chose a cream cheese pound cake from Southern Living. Easy enough, right? Thanksgiving dinner looks easy enough on paper too. But, when the pantry and frig doors open and all the ingredients are strewn across the counter and the actually preparation begins, time quickens to warp speed until you realize that you’ve spent most of the day on your feet, there is still much to be done and the house is not quite as you would wish it to look. Whew!
I’ve discovered that the best weapon in my arsenal to handle these three ring circus meals is Tupperware. Yes, Tupperware. With my arsenal of brightly colored bowls and gadgets, I can prep my ingredients and keep them organized for each step in the cooking process all the way to serving. I never really realized how much I depend on these treasures until at one point yesterday I surveyed my counter and there were no less than a dozen Tupperware products in use. I had bowls with burping lids, choppers, measuring cups and spoons, a citrus juicer and pitcher in a kaleidoscope of colors containing the lime juice, mango, peaches, raspberries, peppers, carrots, celery, onions and garlic ready for action. How did this happen that so many items purchased at parties throughout the years could be gathered to work in concert towards one end? I don’t know. I do know that yesterday I was able to justify all those bits of plastic that fall so clumsily from me cupboards when least expected!
As for the dinner itself, the food was tasty and the couple who entered my front door as strangers left as friends making the hours of toil and today’s aching muscles well worth the effort.
PS. This has been an uncompensated endorsement of Tupperware. Thanks to all of you Tupperware Ladies who have through the years carted your station wagons and minivans laden with your wares from house to house to share the marvels of the magic burping bowls. I couldn’t have done it without you!