File this under sweet ideas for newlyweds — and really anyone who enjoys cooking together. This was another one of my husband’s charming suggestions, and unlike some of his other ideas, this one is food-focused. To keep us cooking in our new kitchen and to push us to try new dishes, John proposed that one of us choose a new recipe each week (from a website, magazine, cookbook, etc.) and prepare it for the other.
When it’s my turn, I enjoy researching recipes and hunting for something interesting to make. When it’s John’s turn, I get to enjoy his delicious creations. We also bought a fabric-covered notebook to record every recipe we try — sometimes with photos when we remember to take one before digging in. We even give each dish a name; favorites so far include “John’s Coco Loco Asian Chicken” and “Sherry’s Nasty Italian Steak Mash.” They may sound quirky, but they’re seriously good.
Why not start your own personal cookbook filled with new and exciting recipes? The only real risk is losing a bit of room in your skinny jeans, but the benefits outweigh that minor consequence. It’s a fun, simple tradition that can grow with your family — and who knows, someday you might pass it down to your kids. If you have enough hands in the kitchen, you might even get a little help with the cooking.