Valentine's Day gets a lot of undeserved "bad press" from guys (and maybe some gals) who like to say that it's just a "Hallmark" holiday. Many protest the celebration in anger, insisting that they don't need a special day to tell their special someone that they love them. People who find themselves single around Valentine's day might wish the holiday would just disappear, wrongly considering it a holiday for lovers only. While these reasons may resonate with some, it's safe to say that Valentine's Day is here to stay, and no amount of protesting or bad press is going to wipe it off the calendars.

Every year, my family gets together for dinner on Valentine's Day. It's a special time together, celebrating our love for one another and it's inclusive of everyone. Single and married siblings gather around the table. Grandma (if she's in town), is there too, and we're so grateful to have her with us.

This year, you may have already started planning your Valentine's dinner date with your sweetie, but why not have an impromptu celebration with family and friends to celebrate how these relationships enhance your life? In the next few blog posts, we'll post a recipe that you can serve as a course for your special celebration. Don't worry - there's not a lot of work to do - the recipes are straightforward and simple to prepare.

Here's what you can expect to see on the menu:

"Grilled" Haloumi with Lemon and Dill
Simple Green Salad with Roasted Fennel and Herb Vinaigrette
Lemon Chicken with Garlic & Herb Fetuccini
Chef's Candy (the original recipe from Cafe Bon Homme, Plymouth)