How can you make a meal at home with your spouse feel special?

"It is always the company that makes any good meal special," says Jefferies. "However, to enhance that special occasion I always dress the table with a lovely table cloth or leave the wooden table top exposed with pretty floral napkins and a small vase with flowers cut from the garden. You could use clear glasses for wine so you can see the colour and coloured glasses for water like those from Katie Alice . If the weather allows, alfresco dining with candles or beside a fire is always very romantic, and with your favourite and personalized playlist on the speaker, you can enjoy the nostalgia and memories together of places been and time gone by."

What are the cooking staples every newlywed couple should have in their kitchen?

"A newlywed couple, I believe, should have a large, heavy-based casserole dish for making those heavenly, seasonal stews," explains Jefferies. "Perhaps a simple and personalized cocktail shaker, so you can make up your own debut signature cocktail for your friends and family. A set of sharp knives makes work in the kitchen much lighter, and a glorious picnic hamper with a blanket makes for a well-received gift."

What are the best meals for couples to learn to cook together?

"Marcus Coleman, the CEO of Seafish says in For The Love Of The Sea , 'Over the years, seafood has been viewed as a food source that possessed mystical powers; oysters in particular, it is claimed, helped legendary 18th-century lover Casanova,'" Jefferies says. "Other romantic food includes caviar, chocolate, lobster, strawberries, artichoke hearts, venison, cheese, and truffles, however, I recommend any recipe that includes your most favourite food to be the best for exploring and learning. There are some delicious and very friendly and accessible recipes in For The Love Of The Land and For The Love Of The Sea . There are beautiful and delicate starters and puddings along with cakes, bakes, and crowd-pleasing mains. Suitable for home cooks of any skill level, this growing collection of story/cookbooks is also the perfect read for anyone who is interested in where their food comes from. For The Love of the Land II captures the UK’s current interest in the provenance of our ingredients, and supporting our local farmers–who in turn look after their environments–has never been more crucial."

The 30 Best Cookbooks for Newlyweds of 2023

female couple cooking in kitchen — Stocksy

We all love picking up takeout sometimes, but one of the many perks of living with your significant other is making and sharing homemade meals together. There's no better time to get cooking than after your wedding—you're settling in and testing out all the new cookware and kitchen gadgets from your registry! Whether the two of you are seasoned home chefs or just starting out in the kitchen, cookbooks can offer you step-by-step guides to producing all sorts of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. You'll start to collect an arsenal of favorite recipes that you can whip out for everything from romantic date nights to family brunches.

"A relationship is always nurtured with time and effort from both parties. Whether you’re newlyweds, a parent with a child, good friends, or some family, cooking and sharing life together in the kitchen can be very tactile, joyful, and a celebration of learning and discovery for everyone," says award-winning cookbook author Jenny Jefferies. "Cooking with love provides food for the soul and as Virginia Wolf once said, 'one cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.'"

When looking for a cookbook that's right for you and your spouse, first consider your level of experience in the kitchen. If you need to master the basics, like poaching an egg or roasting a chicken, go with an option that offers simple everyday recipes to get you started. Then, look for flavors and types of food that appeal to both you and your partner so you can experiment together with tastes you love.

To help satisfy your stomachs and spice up your date nights, we've researched various cookbooks that are perfect for all kinds of couples. For nutritious meals packed with flavor, our favorite picks are Whole Food Cooking Every Day and Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables. Craving something sweet? We love Momofuku Milk Bar.

Read on for the best cookbooks for newlyweds.

Our Top Picks

Best for British Classics:

For the Love of the Land at Amazon

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Best Heirloom Classic:

Graphic Image Leather Bound Joy of Cooking at Food52

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Best Wedding Gift:

The Newlywed Cookbook at Amazon

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Best for Basics: