On the Homefront: Red Toile Birds Valentine's Day Table

Juliet the Dalmatian loves her gift of a satin heart-shaped candy box,
and gazes adoringly at...

Dalmatian Romeo, who sent the box and now sits at the head of the table,
patiently waiting for dessert to be served!

For Valentine's Day, I decided to use a holiday tablecloth I found at the HomeGoods after-Christmas sale as inspiration!  The tablecloth is from the Well Dressed Home collection, and is a rectangular shape but similar to this round one currently available on Amazon (tablecloths and napkins in this design can also be found on eBay). The pattern of red cardinals, pine branches, and holly on an ivory background set the color scheme.  I also got the chance to use some lovely red and grey scalloped-edge appetizer/dessert plates, also from the HomeGoods sale, on this table:

Red velvet placemat; BHG Amity Dinner Plate in Ivory; red vines napkin; 222 Fifth Andover Appetizer/Dessert Plate; stainless steel flatware; red-stemmed wine glass; Luminarc 14-oz. Storage Jar/Glass; small white candy bowl (from Pier 1 years ago).

A closer look at the appetizer/dessert plate ( I love the cabin with the cute little bunny in front!):

There is a pinecone theme going on here!

My red Le Creuset heart-shaped Dutch oven, a gift from my husband on
Valentine's Day years ago (it is also available in pastel pink).

We always dine at my favorite Indian restaurant for Valentine's Day (I love Indian food!), so I have listed my preferred choices from their menu below.  The links provided will take you to Wikipedia for descriptions of each selection, for those who are unfamiliar with this cuisine.  The No-Bake Chocolate Ganache Tart is a recipe I found in the February issue of Family Circle magazine.  I modified the recipe slightly and made it for my husband, who is a dedicated chocoholic!

Valentine's Day Table Menu:

Vegetable Samosas/Dipping Sauces

Garlic Naan/Cucumber Raita

Kachumber Salad

Tandoori Shrimp

Chicken Tikka Masala

Basmati Rice

No-Bake Chocolate Ganache Tart*

From Family Circle via MasterCook.

*No-Bake Chocolate Ganache Tart

1 package (9 oz.) Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers (see Note)
1/2 C. (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 C. milk chocolate chips
3/4 C. bittersweet chocolate chips
3/4 C. heavy cream
6 strawberries, sliced

Crush the chocolate wafers (or graham crackers) and combine with the melted butter.  Press the mixture into a 5x14-inch rectangular tart pan (I had some left over and made a couple of individual tart shells as well). Chill until firm.

Place the chocolates and cream in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on HIGH for 1 minute.  Stir the mixture and microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds.  Stir again until smooth, microwaving for another 20 seconds if the chocolate is not completely melted.  Cool the mixture slightly (about 5 minutes) and pour into the chilled tart shell(s).  Top with sliced strawberries and chill at least 2 hours or overnight.  Cut into squares or wedges.  Serves 12.

Note: I used two-thirds of a 14.4 oz. box of Nabisco Honey Maid Chocolate Graham Crackers (two of the three sleeve packs, or about 16 full sheets of crackers) because that is what I had on hand.

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Even though I have cut back drastically on sugar consumption, there just has to be chocolate on the table for Valentine's Day!  The little bowls at each place setting contain a foil-wrapped Reese's Peanut Butter-Filled Chocolate Heart, a Milk Chocolate Lindt Lindor Truffle, and the new Strawberries and Cream White Chocolate Lindt Lindor Truffle (which is awesome!):

Red bird candleholders, from Pier 1 ages ago, and a huge bouquet of
red roses from my husband adorn the credenza.

I hope you have a
Happy Valentine’s Day!