Beef Chili

One of our favorite things to do on a cool crisp winter afternoon is a brisk walk north on Piedmont Avenue to Lake Clara Meade in Piedmont Park. We always bring some  bread from the inn to feed the mallards and geese.  Once they discover you are the one with the food, they will follow you anywhere.  As we stroll back to our bed and breakfast a steaming bowl of Mountain Beef Chili is awaiting us.

Everyone has their own distinctive chili recipe whether it is Beef Chili or Vegetarian Chili.  President Lyndon B. Johnson’s favorite Chili Carne Recipe became known as “Pedernales River Chili” after the location of this Texas Hill Country ranch.  On Doctors orders he eliminated the traditional beef and added tomatoes and onions.  Lady Bird Johnson had the recipe printed for the thousands of requests the White House received during President Lyndon B. Johnson’s time in office.

My Mountain Beef Chili recipe was given to me by Ed’s family.  Over the years we have tweaked it to our taste.  I was honored to have it selected to be in “The American Country Inn and Bed & Breakfast Cookbook” by  Kitty and Lucian Maynard.  Sometimes we substitute Plainville Ground Turkey Breast (available at Whole Foods) for the ground beef.  I can hardly tell the difference.

So, please try our Mountain Beef Chili recipe and adapt it for your palate.  ENJOY!

Mountain Beef Chili     

• 1 lb Ground Beef
• 1 Medium Onion, Chopped
• 1 Clove of Garlic, Minced
• 1 Organic Green Pepper, Chopped
• 28-ounce Can of Tomatoes
• 16 ounce Can of  Dark Kidney Beans, rinsed
• 16 ounce Can of Black Beans, rinsed
• 1 TBLS Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 TBLS Vinegar
• 1 tsp. Dry Mustard
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1/3 tsp. Black Pepper
• 1/3 tsp. Red Pepper
• 1/3 tsp. Chili Pepper

In a stock pot, brown the Ground Beef with the onions, garlic and green pepper.  Drain.  Put back in stock pot.  Add the remaining ingredients.  Simmer several hours.   Serves 6.

Tower of Flowers salutes urban living and the downsizing to smaller homes and gardens featuring columns and vertical walls of colorful and fragrant exotic orchids.  Tres Fromme of Mesa Design Group has designed the exhibit with orchids becoming vibrant wallpapers climbing the walls, reaching for the sky and surrounding you with sweet scents.  The orchids are supported by mosaic 4 x 6 frames.  Hanging plants and transparent and solid planting columns also support the collection.
Vibrantly colored harlequin phalaenopsis, miltonic, dendrobium and cattleya orchids are framed by lush green and silver foliage with their intoxicating scents.

Our bed and breakfast guests love the monthly events held during the Tower of Flowers.  The Marketplace and Orchid Care Clinics allow  you to try your hand at growing orchids or give advice to experienced gardeners.

Or you may prefer to just stroll through the gardens with your Atlanta Botanical Garden Map to guide you and see the exquisite orchids the judges from The Orchid Society Show have selected as their favorites.

Our favorite event is ”Valentines In The Gardens” on February 13th, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.  You can dance away the evening to live music while sipping cocktails in the gardens.  What says love better than decadent deserts and cappuccinos under warm candlelight and the fragrant scent of exotic orchids.

When that springtime fever alludes you at home, give us a call and make your romantic Atlanta getaway reservation at our bed and breakfast in Atlanta,  and stroll up to the Atlanta Botanical Garden:  Tower of Flower.  We hope to see you soon!