For Valentine’s Day, Chef (that would be my husband) and Cook (that would be me) decided to spend the lover’s holiday at home. We both adore the kitchen and decided on a four-course dinner. Flipping coins for the courses, he pulled the starter and meat course, I, pasta and dessert.

Decadence is a word that just feels inherently guilty. I have to look over both shoulders to make sure no one is watching before I take a bite of something decadent. But, if I share a piece of decadent chocolate, for instance, I feel automatically relieved of all guilt… partly because I have just reduced [...]