Tomato Basil for Two: A Cozy Valentine’s Table (Plus a Spicy Cornbread Recipe)

Posted by Nicola Prybell on Jan 30th 2026

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Valentine’s Day doesn’t always need reservations, prix fixe menus, or a mad dash for flowers at the grocery store. Sometimes, it’s better served warm, at home, with a table full of intention, comfort, and a little nostalgia.

This year, I set out to create a Valentine’s table inspired by Tomato Basil Soup, and what unfolded ended up being much more than a styled shoot. It became one of those unexpectedly meaningful moments you don’t realize you’re creating until you’re already in it.

A Table Set With History

The foundation of this table was built with vintage china from my great grandmother. These are pieces that have lived quietly in cabinets for decades, brought out for special occasions, then tucked away again.

Seeing them used, styled, and celebrated once more was emotional. When my mom saw the table fully set, she teared up. It was a reminder that food and gatherings aren’t just about what’s being served, but about the stories that come with them. There was something incredibly special about watching those dishes hold soup again.

That feeling became the heartbeat of the table.

Modern Touches With a Valentine Twist

To balance the heirloom elements, I layered in some playful, modern details (including these trendy wavy placemats!).

Glass heart candlesticks added just enough romance without feeling overdone, and in a moment of experimentation that I’ll absolutely repeat, heirloom tomatoes doubled as candle holders. By scooping out the stem end just enough to nestle a taper candle, the tomatoes became functional, sculptural, and delightfully unexpected.

They also set the tone for what was clearly the star of the show.

Tomato Basil, Center Stage

Every place setting featured a bowl of Tomato Basil Soup, finished with a crème fraîche heart swirled on top. It was simple, intentional, and quietly dramatic in the best way.

The red-and-white contrast felt perfectly Valentine’s without leaning kitschy, and the soup itself grounded the entire spread. Warm, familiar, and comforting, it gave the table purpose beyond being pretty.

No Tomato Basil moment is complete without something to dip, of course.

Heart-Shaped Comfort Food (Everywhere)

Enter the heart-shaped cheddar grilled cheese. Golden, melty, and unapologetically comforting, these were cut using a heart-shaped sandwich cutter set, which turned out to be far more versatile than expected.

That cutter set came in handy for:

Pepperoni slices
Salami slices
Mozzarella hearts for wine glass garnishes

It’s one of those tools you buy for one idea and end up reaching for again and again.

Charcuterie boards followed suit, leaning fully into the theme:

Brie with a heart cut out and filled with strawberry jam
Heart-shaped crackers
Grapes, strawberries, and raspberries for freshness and color

It was playful, yes, but still felt elevated and cohesive.

A Tomato-Forward Centerpiece

Instead of a traditional table runner, I let tomatoes do the talking.

Tomatoes on the vine, heirloom varieties, and cherry tomatoes were scattered down the length of the table, creating a natural, abundant centerpiece that tied directly back to the soup.

As a subtle nod to the spicy cornbread recipe I’m sharing below, peppers were tucked in among the tomatoes, hinting at heat and adding texture without overwhelming the palette.

Wine Pairing Details (Because It Matters)

The wine pairing was a Sauvignon Blanc, chosen specifically to complement the basil in the soup.

High acidity and citrus notes help cut through richness while matching the brightness of fresh tomato flavors. It’s crisp, refreshing, and doesn’t compete with the food, exactly what you want for a soup-centered meal.

For the wine glasses, I had fun experimenting with garnishes:

Heart-shaped mozzarella
Heart-shaped pepper slices
Cherry tomatoes with stems attached

All were skewered with Valentine’s serving picks (tomato picks, heart picks), which made them feel festive without being fussy.

Florals, But Make Them Tomato-Friendly

Because tomatoes were the star, I wanted florals that felt intentional but not overpowering.

I used floral frogs, those old-school pronged tools that allow stems to stand freely without a vase. They’re perfect for low arrangements and let you scatter flowers across the table rather than anchoring them in one spot.

Carnations, hypericum berries, and a few small roses worked beautifully here. A quick note if you try this: check for thorns. Mine still had them, and while worth it, they did require a little patience.

I Don’t Mean to Be Corny, But This Cornbread Is HOT

This spicy, heart-shaped cornbread was created as a companion to Tomato Basil Soup, and it absolutely earned its place on the table.

What You Need

1 Appalachian Trail Cornbread Mix
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup buttermilk (8 oz.)
2 large eggs
1 container traditional feta cheese
1–2 tablespoons chopped Calabrian chili peppers (from a 6.7 oz jar)
A little goes a long way. I used too much and it was too spicy for me. Remove seeds when chopping to reduce heat.
1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes (optional)
A handful of grape tomatoes
Pepperoni slices
Small heart-shaped cookie cutter (linked)
Heart-shaped baking pan (similar) or pans
This recipe makes one large heart and four small ones (similar).

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Blend eggs and buttermilk together in a mixing bowl.
Stir in cornbread mix.
In a separate bowl, combine feta, peppers, and red pepper flakes.
Gently fold into the batter.
Trace your heart-shaped pan onto parchment paper, cut it out carefully, and place inside the pan (remove any pencil marks).
For grape tomatoes: cut diagonally, then slice in half. Swap the pieces to form heart shapes, fleshy side down on the parchment. Add as many as you like.
We also cut pepperoni hearts and added them to the mini cornbreads. In hindsight, this needs more testing. Pepperoni may work better without parchment paper.
Rub softened/melted butter along the edges of the pan.
Stir remaining melted butter into the batter and pour into the preheated pan.
Bake for 18 minutes, until firm on top and lightly browned. Check often, as pan weight and ovens vary.
Serve on a heart-shaped plate, obviously.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day With Tomato Basil for Two

This table was created to celebrate something simple, warm, and meant to be shared, which is exactly the spirit behind our Tomato Basil for Two promotion.

From February 10–15, 2026, every order of $70 or more will receive:

Not one. Two. Because soup is better when it’s shared.

Whether you’re setting a full Valentine’s table or just lighting a candle and staying in, we’re excited to celebrate alongside you.