Valentine's Day is just a few short days away, which means it's time to start thinking about what you're going to make your sweetheart for dinner. Chef Andrew Schloss, author of more than 14 cookbooks, has been kind enough to share with us his top choices and recipes for a delicious romantic dinner.

Entrees

* Pan-Grilled Rosemary Lamb Chops
* Beef Burgundy
* Chicken Risotto with Basil and Parmesan
* Tuscan-Style Pasta with Cannellini *
* Broiled Salmon with Olive Tomato Vinaigrette

Appetizers, Sides and Salads

* Watercress-Citrus Salad with Grilled Figs *

* Bowtie Salad Primavera with Fresh Basil and Toasted Pine Nuts
* Vegetable Pilaf
* Escarole Salad with Roasted Tomatoes and Warm White Bean Vinaigrette
* Savory Potatoes
* Mixed Endive Salad with Vanilla-Pear Vinaigrette and Toasted Walnuts

Desserts

* Red Satin Cake with Peaches and Raspberries *
* Vanilla Ice Cream with Peaches and Gingered Cherry Sauce
* Raspberry-Peach Melba
* Pear And Ginger Crisp

Drinks

* Ginger-Pear Martini *
* Grapefruit-Lime Daiquiri
* Pomegranate Sherbet Shake (non-alcoholic) *

(see recipes below)

If you're looking for the perfect dessert or appetizer to make for your sweetie this Valentine's Day, consider this recipe for Coeur a La Creme with fresh raspberry compliments of the Black Sheep Inn of Western New York. One of the Inn's signature dishes, Coeur a La Creme is delicious and easy to make.

Ingredients-
Coeur a la creme:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened or mascarpone cheese
1/3 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Pinch salt

Topping:

1/3 cup frozen raspberries, thawed
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Special equipment: 2 (1/3 cup) ceramic coeur a la creme molds and cheesecloth
1/3 cup sour cream or whole milk cream on top yogurt
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, with a bit of the rind grated in
Pinch sea salt

Topping:
1/3 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, thawed (other berries are a delicious change if you prefer
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Special equipment: 2 (1/3 cup) ceramic Coeur a la creme molds and cheesecloth

Directions:

If you're amongst the many people who'd like to avoid heading out to a restaurant this year to celebrate Valentine's Day, and cooking just isn't your thing, we've got the perfect solution for you. Introducing Chef Eric Wells, a personal chef, caterer, and culinary instructor from the Cleveland area specializing in preparing intimate dinners for two.

So instead of eating out or struggling through preparing a meal of your own, Chef Wells can prepare for you a romantic, 4-course meal in the comfort of your own home. He provides everything for the perfect meal, complete with the freshest and most flavorful ingredients to designer china, a linen tablecloth and napkins, fresh flowers and candles. Chef Wells also uses his own restaurant quality cookware to ensure flawless food preparation, and even cleans the kitchen after the event.

Think service such as this will cost you a fortune? Not so. Chef Eric Wells' prices are pretty reasonable, costing just $175 to $200 per couple, depending on the menu you choose.

For more information, pricing, and menu options, visit Eric's website at www.SkyeLaraes.com.

Survey shows 81% of adults would prefer a home cooked meal to dining out.

If you've thought about staying in with your signifcant other this Valentine's Day, you're not alone. A recent study of married adults in the U.S. by Harris Interactive and Whole Foods Market found that 81 percent would prefer a nice dinner at home over going out to eat on February 14.

The survey showed that of those who prefered to stay at home, many shared both romantic and frugal reasons. 64 percent agreed that dinner at home is more intimate or special, and 73 percent agreed that dinner at home prepared by a significant other is more personal, thoughtful or caring. Half cited financial reasons, such as the state of the economy and the increased expense of eating out.

Making a meal at home, in most cases, costs at least half the amount you'd spend dining out at a restaurant.