I never learned how to cook for two once the kids left home. Many of our neighbors benefit from this lack in my education. I asked one man recently, “Aren’t you glad I never learned to cook for two?”

Recently pork tenderloin was on sale. I bought one for cooking after our vacation. I usually sear it on the grill to lock in the flavors. For this version I inserted slices of lemon and onion between the partial slices before baking. I sprinkled those same areas with Lemon Pepper marinade and kosher salt. I baked it, basting after 20 minutes with butter. Baked another 20 minutes. Meat thermometer said it was not done enough when we needed to leave the house. I baked it a while longer. When cooled I poured off the juices to make a gravy.

I was cooking this with one neighbor in mind who loves lemon. I made a lemon mushroom gravy to go with the slices. That was a new attempt for me! I used strained broth from the baking, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, lemon pepper marinade in the gravy as I had done on the meat. I think it tastes pretty good. Seriously different! Wonder if I can ever make it again with a good outcome? I sliced the meat into portions and poured some gravy into each zip lock bag.

The neighbor who loves lemon got it first. Then another neighbor who has two little kiddos and needed a break from cooking on Mother’s Day. Another neighbor in his 80s who needs to gain weight gets a portion. We will have the rest.

We like to eat tenderloin as a meat with potatoes and vegetable. Or we slice it up and eat it in dinner salads. Can’t go wrong, especially when they put it on sale!

My friend wants to learn how to make the twice baked potatoes I often make and freeze. I use baking potatoes of a good size. If I am planning 6 potatoes I bake 7 so I have plenty for the filling.

Bake them thoroughly at 350 degrees. After they cool a bit I cut an oval in the top of each potato. I scoop out the inside into a mixing bowl, reserving the shell to fill. Each shell gets sprinkled inside with Lawry’s seasoned salt and a pinch of shredded cheddar cheese and set aside.

For the filling I whip the baked potato centers with milk, butter, cream cheese, Lawry’s seasoned salt, white pepper, and cheddar cheese shreds. Portions of those vary depending upon the size of the potatoes I use. Keep tasting the filling and you will find what portions you like best. I try to go easy on the salt. (Those store bought twice baked always seem to have salt as their major spice! Ugh!)

I refill the skins making certain the filling goes over the top edge. (If there is filling leftover I put it in a greased baking dish for us to enjoy without the skin.) I roll them in cheese before placing in a baking dish and baking them a second time. The second baking is to warm them through and melt the cheese. After that I serve the potatoes or cool and freeze for another day.

They always seem to be a hit whenever I serve or share them. Must admit I am starting to drool thinking about them!

So if meat and potatoes is not your thing, I apologize. If you are vegetarian perhaps you would like to try the potatoes only!

A new friend told me a story recently at a church dinner. We were talking about cooking. She said after her husband died she stopped cooking. I said I am thinking if Bob dies first I might give it up also. Once a person at church told her about a man who they thought was lonely. Perhaps she could have a meal with him? A dinner place was chosen and the two of them met at the restaurant. He was recently widowed. He asked her if she liked to cook .She told him she never cooked any more. Again during the meal he asked doesn’t she like to cook at all? She said not really. Finally he proclaimed that perhaps if she had a new set of pots and pans she would cook again! She adamantly stated she had no interest in cooking again. Seems he wanted a woman in his life to cook for him?!? They did not go out together after that.

I do not want new pots and pans but I might not object to getting my knives sharpened! Guess I better call the man who did it last time and make certain he is still in the business. With arthritis I need all the help I can get cutting things up! And yes, Bob is willing to help. He just is not always home when I want to prepare something. He likes sharp knives, too.

Enjoy whatever you eat today!