Not surprisingly, we favor food-centric holidays and celebrations over any other, which is why February is so appealing. Unlike those celebrations that call for decorations and gifts (not counting giving actual Valentines, which, to my dismay, turns out to be a competitive sport among my kids’ classmates!), the gatherings this month revolve around comfort and indulgence, which makes sense. The gleam of the holidays has dulled and the chill of winter has set in.

It’s time to get cozy on the sofa and tuck into food that instantly warms and nourishes: hearty chili, piping-hot soup, succulent meat loaf. We’ve devised versions of each of these for Super Bowl Sunday, each one presented in a way that makes it easy to jump up off the couch for the big score without tossing food in the air. And then there’s our “popcorn,” tiny cauliflower florets tossed with seasonings that is as addictive as any movie version. This is not plate-in-your-lap, fork-in-hand-style food—who has time to fiddle when there’s football to watch?

Indeed, we’re intent on taking the traditional formality—and expected approach—out of preparing delicious food. Especially when it comes to Valentine’s Day. It’s funny—I’ve never been much of a traditionalist when it comes to this holiday. So when it came to creating a menu for Valentine’s Day, we went straight to chocolate, naturally, along with our favorite red fruits, and then used nothing more than a muffin tin, mason jar lids, a cookie cutter, and tiny glasses to change up the presentation of truffles, mousse, and even pie (baked in the lids!). But don’t wait until February 14 to make these recipes; everyone loves a sweet, especially when it is sweetly conceived.