My slightly more refined plan, after considering advice and more research:
50g, heavily planted with anubias and tall grasses, with two large semi-hollow driftwood pieces, and a volcano bubbler/cave
2 Pearl Gourami
2 Angels (starting as small as I can get them; nickel or smaller)
2 Bushynose
maybe amanos, maybe kuhli loaches, or maybe both. (still researching kuhlis)
Careful observation, with a 5 gal on standby.