I used to make a heart shaped meaatloaf when the girls still lived at home, or heart shaped pizza. I used a red BBQ type sauce for the meatloaf, Ashley used to say it looked like a bleeding heart. (grin)

Or you could make heart shaped sandwiches of any type with a heart shaped cookie cutter and nearly anything could be baked in a heart shaped cake pan, which is available at places like Michael's, Hobby Lobby and mabe even the wedding/Wilton section at your local Evil Empire/Walmart.

I kind of like the bloody heart, LOL.

Annie

What cute ideas Annie. I hadn't thought about using a heart shaped pan. Meatloaf isn't a bad idea either.

Hey, how's your weather? Steve and I did miss being home for the last snow storm up there. We really do like winter for a period of time. Usually, we want it to be over by mid February.

Karen
Thanks

Weather is fine here, the sun is shining and it's in the high 20s. It's going to get colder the end of this week, lows down in the single digits again.

In other words, it's normal. We had some slide offs this morning on the road because it got warm enough yesterday to thaw, then freeze overnight. Elery's area got some blowing snow yesterday causing some white out conditions and a few accidents, including one that killed a family friend of his who was 9 months pregnant with her first child after 14 years of marriage. Husband was injured, the baby was delivered and in Ann Arbor in critical, they don't know how long the baby was without oxygen after her mother's death. They had pulled off I-94 for some reason and were hit by a semi-truck, those trucks go about 80 down I-94 no matter what the weather is.

So, a usual Michigan weekend, some snow, some wind, some ice, and some people who just can't manage to stay home although they've been warned about weather conditions. Sigh. People think "oh, it's only 4 inches and I've been driving in this all my life", but when that wind picks up you can't see where you're driving and it makes no difference whether that snow is 4 inches or 4 feet. That's the REAL danger of winter in snowy places, the driving, especially on the expressways.

Annie

Oh, that is so sad about the accident and the mother and baby. You are right, I-94 is a dangerous road and is terrifying to me even when the weather isn't bad. There are so many semi's on that road and they do travel fast. Always lots of accidents in the winter.

You said this is a family friend of Elery's? We will keep him and the family in our prayers.

Karen

Annie, what a heart wrenching tragedy!! After that I don't feel like offering foodie thoughts. I'll come back later.

Yes, the husband is Chad Cole, wife Sara Cole. The baby was named Miranda when she was born. Chad's brother is the best friend of Elery's youngest son, Ben.

Sorry, didn't mean to make you lose your appetite, Cathy. And Karen, I didn't mean to hi-jack your thread either. Now, back to cooking, with my apologies.

Annie

Here is a link that might be useful: Chad and Sara Cole

Karen:
My DD's Birthday is Valentines Day.
So last year I made her a Valentine Pizza.

I used Red Pepper for the Heart. The arrow is a piece of a Celery Stalk.

All the small hearts are Pepperoni.

OR !!!!!
You could make a few small Heart shaped Pizza's.

OR !!!!!

Shape a baking pan " Heart Shaped " and make Lasagna.
Use a large round one and pinch it to shape.

That's it ,I Quit.

LOU

That's a gorgeous pizza, Lou. It looks just like a Valentine card should look.

Jim

Wow Lou, that is great. How artistic!!!!

Thanks

Just lovely!

It would look so nice hanging on a wall.

dcarch

I'm going to use the heart-shaped meatloaf idea. I can use the heart pan that Sheshebop sent me.

Thanks Lou, I have large pepperoni slices; I will cut them into hearts for "make your own pizza" day.

Lou, that pizza looks amazing. I've got to try that. My kids and grandkids would be so impressed. I'm sure mine wouldn't end up looking that good, but I think I can cut out pepperoni hearts. :)

Lou - are you the perfect Dad or what? :-)

all meaningful.

Undetectable arsenic.

Cathy, I think I'm going to make the meatloaf also. I was at Michael's yesterday and found a heart shaped pan.

Lou, I love the pizza but I think meatloaf will be more appropriate for this dinner. I want to make the pizza for the grand kids sometime.

Fun theme desserts are pretty easy, but the main dish is a challenge to me.

Thanks for the ideas. More please!

Karen

The heart shaped meatloaf idea is great!
How about stacking 2 of them,
Then 'ice' with mashed potatoes.
Maybe decorate with some red peppers cut into heart shapes?
Do you suppose that would be doable? ? ?
And, more important,
Would it be good?

I just might have to try it.

Or, maybe,
Instead of 'stacking' them,
I'll leave them seperate.
And after 'icing' with nice fluffy mashed potates,
Put them under the broiler for a few minutes,
To lightly brown the potates.
Hmm-m-m-m-m-mmmmm. . . .

Lou, I agree with others,
That pizza is REALLY a work of art!!

Rusty

Thanks: Karen and Everyone:
Now, I'll need Idea's too, for my DD's birthday.

Maybe the heart shaped Lasagna ???

OR , Just take her out to Dinner , so she can have some good food !!!
LOU

PS: Karen do you have room for one more ???

Meatloaf cakes frosted with mashed potatoes? Hearts out of pepperoni? Wow, how imaginative!

As for me, I would bring Thai chicken curry and a side of rice. It is simple to make and the color is a beautiful pale rose. The following recipe is a great starting point although it needs much more curry paste than the suggested amount.

If you feel you have to do something heart shaped, I would make heart shaped crab cakes. Lorijean once posted a great sounding recipe. Hopefully she will repost it here.

Jo

Here is a link that might be useful: Thai curry recipe

My favorite valentine's day dinner is lobster....after all it's pink! In lean times, a platter of shrimp will do.
Linda C

Rusty, That is a great idea. I wonder how that would work.

Jo, The Thai curry recipes sound really good. I'll have to try that.

Linda, I'm with you. I love lobster and shrimp, but that would cost a fortune to feed 30-35 people lobster. Ha

Karen:
I would try to get an idea of " who is bringing what "
Or everyone might be bringing Meatloaf. ???

Ask someone who knows, what everyone is bringing.

There is always one or two of them in the group.

I was going to suggest Heart Shaped Crab Cakes but I thought it would be too expensive.
****************
Even with all the other food at my DD's, the Pizza was a hit.
LOU

I have also been served at a restaurant as a Valentine special, roast pork with a cherry sauce, very pretty and good.
And you're in Florida, shrimp should be cheap enough.
And if there are 30 people, assuming everyone is part of a couple, that's 15 dishes....figuring 2 desserts, 2 salads, 4 sides, 2 appetizers....that leaves 5 for main dish....everyone really shouldn't bring food for 30. 5 pounds of shrimp should be a nice treat, easy for you and cheap enough not to break the bank.
That's what I'd do.
Linda c

My first thought was shrimp also. I think lasagna would be my second choice.

Whatever you do will be well received. Whenever I go to potlucks it is always good and there is always a variety of food.

Here you go, Jo:

Central Market's Pan-Fried Hatch Crabcakes

1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat, picked over to remove cartilage or shell
4 green onions, green part only, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1-1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning (I omitted)
4 tablespoons plain dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup roasted Hatch peppers, peeled, seeded and diced (roasted poblanos would substitute nicely here)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste
1 large egg
2 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
1/2 cup vegetable or peanut oil for frying

Gently mix the crabmeat, scallions, herbs, Old Bay seasoning (if using), bread crumbs, diced peppers and mayonnaise in a medium bowl, being careful not to break up the lumps of crab too much.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Carefully fold in the beaten egg with a rubber spatula until the mixture clings together. Divide the mixture into cakes based on the size you desire, making sure that all cakes are about the same thickness. Place the formed cakes on platter and cover with plastic wrap. Chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. Just before cooking, remove the cakes from the fridge. Place the panko in a shallow dish and dredge the crabcakes in it. Gently shake off any excess. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Gently lay the crabcakes in the skillet. Pan-fry until the outsides are crisp and browned, about 4 minutes per side. Drain the cooked crabcakes on paper towels and serve immediately. (Recipe suggest serving the cakes with a pepper-spiked aioli.)

Lori

I agree with Lou, find out what everyone else is bringing, if possible.
Once I took meatballs to a potluck and there must have been 10 other people who brought meatballs. I thought, never again!

I wouldn't make shrimp unless it was peeled and made in a recipe, even just peeled goes a long way, but I usually take something chicken. Maybe I'm cheap but I also love chicken.
Chicken satay with peanut sauce would be good because of the individual serving skewers.

Wow Lori, those look fantastic! I've been looking for a great crab cake recipe forever. Can't wait to try these.
Jo

I've made Lori's Crab cakes and they are fantastic! The best part is NO Old Bay! I actually was able to use some Hatch chilis thanks to my neighbors who had just visited New Mexico and the do bring a very special flavor, but poblanos would be delicious too.

Alexa

Here is my Crabcake recipe for Baked Crabcakes.
I use Old Bay Seasoning in just about everything.

LOU'S - Baked Salmon or Crab Cakes

Chopped small , 1/3 cup each of : Onion, Celery , Red Bell Pepper and
Micro wave for 2 minutes. With 2 tbsp of water Let it cool .

In a Bowl , put 1 - 14 3/4 oz. can of Pink Salmon or Crab Meat and
break up larger pieces.
Sprinkle with : Black pepper and add:
1/2 teasp. of Garlic Powder , Onion Powder and 1/4 level teasp.of Old Bay Seasoning.
2 level teasp. of Parsley flakes
2 Tablespoons of Parmesan Cheese
1/2 teaspoon of Mustard
3 heaping tablespoons of Mayonnaise
Fold and Blend this together with the Onions, Celery and Peppers
add: 1 cup of Italian Bread Crumbs.

Beat 1 egg and add 1 teaspoon of Baking Powder, beat well.
Add this to the Salmon mix and blend with a fork ( Just enough to mix it through.)
If the mix is too wet add a little more Bread Crumbs

Make 6 Balls ( work easy ) and flatten slightly to 4 inches round and 3/4 inches thick.
I baked them on a cookie tin , lined with Aluminum Foil, sprayed with Pam

Bake 20 to 25 minutes at 320 Degrees. Then brush with melted butter and
Broil on Low for 5 minutes or until a Golden Tan.
Serve Hot or freeze separated w Plastic wrap , in a Zip Lock or container.

Update:
I now add Shrimp cut up in larger pieces, to the Crabmeat, for Crabcakes.
Add whatever Spices you like.

Bon Appetite

Crabcakes Baked

Crab Shrimp Cakes Baked.

Lou,
Is that second picture the one with the Cracker Jacks added to the crab cakes? Been meaning to ask how those went over.

Boy do those pictures make my mouth salivate! I could make those this very minute and eat every one of them. I've been on a diet and I could eat a horse right now. I need to stop looking at these wonderful pictures.

Thanks to all for great ideas. Oh, I do know that no one is bringing meatloaf to this party.

I posted a dish on WFD thread which may be doable for your situation.

dcarch

Jojoco:
I didn't care for them as much.

Karen :
Your on a diet ??? When are you coming to visit again, LOL!!! My freezer is all stockd up and ready.

Dcarch:
Is that doable dish for her diet or the Dinner.

LOU