Farmers Guest House is pleased to be featured in Michael Franco‘s Bed & Breakfast Guide on About.com. At Farmers Guest House, the best bed and breakfast in Galena IL, we are raising the bar on breakfast offerings at Galena bed and breakfasts. We set the standard for a country elegant getaway to Galena IL.

Baked Pears in Brandy Sauce

Beginning each breakfast with fruit is customary at Farmers Guest House in Galena, Illinois. However, it can be a challenge in February when the only fruits in season are pears, apples and lemons. This recipe was inspired by the winter season in the Northern Midwest. On a beautiful, snowy morning in the cold of the winter, a warm fruit dish is a perfect start to a wonderful breakfast at the B&B — or at your own home. This is a delicious way to use tasty, fresh pears and the bit ‘o brandy is a fine wake-up call before embarking on the variety of winter sports offerings in the area. Served warm with ice cream, it makes for an excellent dessert option while snuggling up near your fireplace.

Ingredients:

• 3 Pears
• 1 Cup orange juice with pulp
• 1 Tbs cornstarch
• ½ Tsp dried orange peel
• 1 Tsp cinnamon
• ½ Tsp ground cloves
• 1 Tbs sugar
• 4 Tbs brandy or rum, divided
• ½ Cup raisins
• ½ Cup water
• Butter for pan

Preparation:

Visit Farmers Guest House, the best bed and breakfast in Galena, and experience the new look of our Mary room. Mary is an intimate room at Farmers Guest House with warm rich colors and streaming sunlight that fills the room with romantic energy. Mary is named after the wife of Galena Civil War General Rawlins. Mary was General Rawlins second wife and her romantic energy and spirit is certainly prevalent throughout the room.

This room features a queen size sleigh bed and a flat screen TV/DVD. This Galena guest room also allows you to enjoy a full-sized private bathroom. Enjoy comfort and relaxation with your individually controlled thermostat.

This morning we woke up to a party with breakfast Quesadilla, Huevos Rancheros and black bean & corn salad.  Served with Apple-cinnamon muffins, a fresh fruit compote and sunshine, this was a great way to start the week!

Fiesta Breakfast

Don and I returned from the annual Innkeeping Conference yesterday and were we glad to be HOME!  When we expressed our dismay at the choice of Las Vegas as the location for this year’s convention many friends, family and guests gave us those knowing glances and soft chuckles, saying, “Yeah, right.”  But in reality, we had never been there and were not excited about a trip to Las Vegas.   With hope born from the experiences of others who told us we would love the desert oasis; off we went.  After 5 nights and six days we returned resolute to our original supposition – we prefer Galena to Las Vegas in all areas; lodging, fine dining, gaming and attractions.

Gaming & Attractions

I’m not sure what the big deal is about gambling.  We have two casinos within 20 minutes of Galena and I don’t see much difference between them and those we walked through in Las Vegas.  Yes, Vegas is louder and has more, but it seemed more of the same; a large, loud, smoke filled room with flashing lights, pulsing music, and crowds of people enjoying games while betting money on the outcome.   Standing on the bridge over the Mississippi just 9 miles up the road from Galena I could throw a $20 into the water, enjoy the peaceful views, catch a glimpse of a Bald Eagle and probably save myself a fortune in the process.

I must admit that the Frank Sinatra impersonator we saw was amazing.  He sounded just like old blue eyes.  Of course, so does the DVD I have!  The shows in Vegas are amazing, and very costly.  Tickets were anywhere from $50 – $200 depending on what and where.   Listening to live music at Cornerstone or Galena Brewery is still free here in Galena without the hefty price tags on the drinks!  Standard fare on the strip in Vegas was $6 – $8 for a domestic beer and even more for a glass of wine.  Here in Galena we have street musicians playing delightful tunes for tips.  On the walkways in Las Vegas we were occasionally met by panhandlers begging for change – they didn’t sing.

Fine Dining

At the Las Vegas conference hotel there were two fine dining options; a steakhouse and Italian.  The décor was trendy and sophisticated and we were seated quickly.   A quick look over the menus had us gasping at the prices, but, we figured with price tags like these, the food was sure to be a culinary experience of the highest caliber.  The reality was a confirmation that we have some of the best fine dining right here in Galena.  The meals at both Las Vegas restaurants were very good, with some dishes worthy of an “excellent” rating; however, we found nothing that was better than we can enjoy on Historic Main Street in Galena, Illinois.  Returning home I compared our meals at these two restaurants with two very similar ones here in Galena.

(Prices rounded up to the nearest dollar)

Do the math and you will see that fine dining in Las Vegas will cost you twice as much as it does here, in downtown Galena, Illinois.

Lodging

As owners of a Bed and Breakfast we firmly believe that it is the Better Way To Stay.  Hotels just don’t measure up to the amazing service you get from a Bed and Breakfast – especially the Farmers Guest House in Galena.  Our suite was very nice, but housekeeping was inconsistent, coffee service was limited, and all the wonderful amenities that we offer our guests were missing – cookies, beverage service, maps and menus on hand, in-room thermostats that really work, luxury soaps, and true from-the-mouth-of-a-local concierge service.   And then there’s the breakfast!  Today, after a fresh fruit parfait, banana bread and muffins, we enjoyed the Broccoli Garden Soufflé with corn muffins and bacon that is locally sourced from Arnold Farms.   Add our own special coffee blend and you have one more great reason to get out of bed in the morning!

As you can see, we are happy Midwesterners proud of Galena, Illinois, the best Midwest getaway destination.

Good Morning and Welcome Home

#1 Serve great food

Here are some of the appetizers we had for the first course at Farmers Guest House.

Lettuce Wraps

Pear/Bacon/Honey Ricotta Wheels

Apples with Raspberry Creme

 #2 Add Amazing Guests

Progressive Dinner Toast

Since so many of our guests asked for the recipe, here is the secret sauce for the Bourbon Meatballs.

Bourbon Meatballs

Whisk the sauce in a crock pot and add the meatballs.  Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours just until hot.

The bed and breakfast experience at Farmers Guest House is about many things, but nothing is more important than your bed and your breakfast. Let’s talk breakfast…At Farmers Guest House, each morning, guests awaken to the smells of a full-country breakfast being prepared from scratch in our kitchen. Now, the good people at About.com have discovered the wonders of breakfast at Farmers Guest House.

Read more about the country elegance and allure of Farmers Guest House below and experience the best bed and breakfast in Galena, Farmers Guest House.

Mocha Latte Pancakes

by Michael Franco, About.com Guide

Susan and Don Steffan have been welcoming guests to the Farmer’s Guest House in Galena, IL since they took ownership of the building in 2012 — literally.

The couple had their first guests stay with them the day they took the keys, and they’ve entertained hundreds since then. Because much of the town of Galena is on the National Historic Register and there are many shops and historic sites to visit, guests sometimes need a super-charged breakfast to get them buzzing through the day. That’s where this recipe comes in.

With a dash of chocolate, a shot of espresso and high-protein ricotta cream it definitely satisfies and sends visitors off into their days with a snap in their step and a smile on their face!

Ingredients:

Ricotta Cream

Mocha Latte Pancakes

Preparation:

For the Ricotta Cream

Mix ingredients until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the Mocha Syrup

Add all ingredients except vanilla to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until boiling. Stir for two minutes. Remove from heat, add vanilla. Cool to serve.

For the Mocha Latte Pancakes

In a medium bowl blend flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa until no streaks remain. In a small bowl, beat egg and sugar with a whisk. Add milk and coffee and whisk until completely blended. Cook pancakes on a griddle, flipping when small bubbles appear. Add a dollop of Ricotta Cream, drizzle with Mocha Syrup and sprinkle with chopped chocolate if desired.

That lovely snow yesterday made for a beautiful sight over morning coffee.