Tupperware a la francaise

Energy efficient mixer

I went to my first French Tupperware party this afternoon, and I had a BLAST!  My friend Marie, from the tabac invited me a couple of weeks ago.  I didn't realize that Tupperware was even still in business and I hadn't been to a home party in at least 40 years.  Remember "burping" the lids and those yellow, orange and brown bowls? 

These products have a familiar look

I met Marie at the tabac and we collected her neighbor,Valerie, a UK expat who's been here 10 or so years.  While it was helpful and familiar to have another English speaker in the group, the language of the day was French, French, French.  We walked to the home of Marie's friend, Marie-Martine, who was hosting the party in her wonderful home overlooking the Aude and la Cite.  

Oven safe bakeware and a perfect poulet roti

We proceeded to spend the afternoon cooking, making mayonnaise, with and without chopped cornichons, floating islands (meringue balls in creme anglaise), and little chocolate gateaux with molten centers.  We exchanged recipes, and I got lots of tips about ingredients: where to find them, how to store them.  I finally learned the difference between levure and levure chemique and which one is the familiar baking powder.  I felt so at home, and could ask the most basic questions about cooking without ever once feeling stupid.  These people can't help enough.  

Made mayonnaise in here...no electricity needed

One of the biggest selling points about several of the items in Tupperware's line completely indicates the difference between European and American values.  Two of their gadgets, a food processor and an "stand mixer" DO NOT USE ELECTRICITY.  This is a very good thing, which might give my American friends an idea about how expensive electricity is here in France.  These French people are also more environmentally conscious than most Americans I know (and are teaching me to be more aware every day) and embrace technologies that are gentle on the planet. 

Blinis for the homemade mayo

I was also interested to see the direction in which Tupperware products have headed....lots of environmentally safe items for micro-wave cooking, as it takes less energy.  More cookware, lightweight, which I appreciate, as I no longer want to deal with heavy mixing bowls, heavy cookware, heavy serving ware.  Marie-Martine had roasted a chicken and vegetables in one of their bakeware items, and it was gorgeous.   We did have a little excitement when the cat discovered it!

There's that 70's orange I remember so well

I managed to communicate, both from the listening/comprehending end and the speaking end.  I am sure I wasn't smooth about it, but if I didn't know a word, I just asked what it meant.  People understood me and I understood them.  From that standpoint, the afternoon was a great success.  From a camaraderie standpoint, the afternoon was a great success.  I have two new friends now in town, with invitations to meet for coffee or a glass of wine.  

In Marie-Martine's kitchen

At some point in the conversation, Michel Rabat's name arose.  I am not the only person who's lost her heart to him.  I wonder if he has any idea how many women in town have enormous crushes on him.  More importantly, I wonder if he has any idea in what high esteem we hold him and his family.  His reputation for quality products and ethical business practices is unequaled here in Carcassonne.  

So innocent and nearly full of roast chicken

Floating islands and chocolate cake with molten center

Hmm.....Tupperware, of all things, brought us together for a wonderful afternoon of conversation, sharing and conviviality.  I can hardly wait for the next party.  

Looking out Marie-Martine's living room window