Cooking Together: How This Husband-and-Wife Duo of Food Bloggers Master the Kitchen and Keep Their Love Alive

Husband-and-wife duo Sonja and Alex Overhiser, known as A Couple Cooks, have released a new cookbook called “A Couple Cooks: 100 Recipes to Cook Together.” This book focuses on making cooking enjoyable for couples—or any two people—by assigning clear roles to each cook. No one feels overwhelmed or frustrated in the kitchen.

In the book, for example, while one person handles the meatballs, the other prepares the fire-roasted marinara. They come together at the end to finish the dish, making the whole experience a team effort. “Cooking is more fun together,” says Sonja from their home in Indianapolis. “You’ll keep doing it if you’re sharing it with someone.”

The cookbook includes a variety of recipes, from everyday dinners to delicious snacks. It aims to ease the intimidation many feel about cooking, so it focuses on partnership rather than competition. “We hope to remove that fear of burning something,” says Alex.

Sections of the book are tailored to different occasions: quick weeknight meals, romantic dinners, and even fun weekend bakes. “We want to cover all those special moments,” Sonja explains.

Sonja and Alex’s cooking journey began in college. Initially, their meals were simple and often frozen. Over time, they grew more adventurous and even wrote a previous book that gained recognition as a top vegetarian cookbook.

The dishes in their new book draw inspiration from various cuisines, with easy-to-find ingredients and plenty of options for dietary restrictions. They particularly love homemade pizza, inspired by their honeymoon in Italy, where they tried artisan versions of the dish.

One standout recipe is their no-cook pizza sauce, which combines fire-roasted tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Their toppings can include mozzarella, red onions, and more, making it perfect for a cozy evening together.

Something unique about the Overhisers’ approach is their use of unexpected flavors. For instance, they creatively incorporate tahini into their baked oatmeal with maple drizzle, giving it a nutty twist. “Adding an unexpected element makes a meal more fun,” Sonja says.

Their vegan risotto is another dish that turns traditional recipes on their head, using a miso-rosemary broth for a rich flavor that even non-vegans will appreciate.

One recipe from the book features a fresh take on salmon piccata. Here’s a simple overview:

Salmon Piccata

• 4 salmon fillets
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 shallot, minced
• ½ cup vegetable broth
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• ½ tablespoon lemon zest
• 3 tablespoons capers
• Lemon wheels and parsley for garnish

To prepare, season and dredge the salmon fillets in flour. Cook them in a skillet until browned, then set aside. In the same pan, sauté shallots, add broth, lemon juice, and capers, and return the salmon to finish cooking.

This recipe serves 4 and pairs beautifully with a pinot noir, which complements the flavors of the dish well. If you’re cooking with a partner, one can handle the salmon while the other prepares the sauce and sides.

This book isn’t just for couples. It’s great for anyone looking to enjoy cooking with others, whether it’s family or friends. The Overhisers believe that food can bring people together, creating special moments in the kitchen.

From “A Couple Cooks: 100 Recipes to Cook Together” by Sonja Overhiser and Alex Overhiser, 2024, Chronicle Books.