Not everyone likes cooking, and for some, it’s little more than another chore that needs to be done on a nightly basis. For some couples, married or otherwise, the job of making dinner often falls to one or the other, which works for some, but if you can manage it, cooking as a couple is rewarding for a number of reasons.

First, it’s more quality time you get to spend together. Cooking isn’t rocket surgery, so the time you spend chopping and stirring is a great time to get caught up.

Second, it means that both of you are in charge of what you eat. Whether you’re watching your waistline or your budget, or your just want to be more mindful of the fuel you put into your body, having both of you engaged with what you’re putting on the table will ensure that you don’t end up stuck in a rut.

Third, you’ll both become better cooks, and that makes eating good food a lot easier. If you’re both beginners, the experience of learning together can bring you closer, and if one of you is more experienced, the other can learn while improving their fundamentals, such as knife skills and other prep.

A lot of “couples” guides recommend cooking together on dates and special occasions like Valentine’s Day, which is great, but why discount the other 364 days of the year? The more you cook together, the more of a rhythm you’ll develop.

Sure, cooking dinner isn’t going to replace that romantic weekend at a bed and breakfast, but with a little practice, cooking dinner together could make every night feel a bit more like date night.