Elegant Eggnog Food

ELEGANT EGGNOG DESSERT

Steps:

• Cut each cookie into two 2-1/2-in. sections; set aside. Crush remaining 1-inch pieces. In a small bowl, combine the cookie crumbs, cracker crumbs and butter; press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan., In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the eggnog, milk, dry pudding mixes, extract and nutmeg until smooth. Whip cream until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into pudding mixture. Spoon over crust. Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight. , Just before serving, remove sides of pan. Arrange reserved cookies around dessert and press gently into sides. Refrigerate leftovers.

CLASSIC EGGNOG

Steps:

• Whisk the eggs, egg yolk and sugar in a bowl until combined. Heat the milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat until steaming; do not boil. Remove from the heat. Whisk 1 cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture, then whisk the egg mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon and a thermometer registers 165 degrees F, about 5 minutes. (Do not boil or the eggs will curdle.)
• Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl and stir in the vanilla and nutmeg. Let cool at room temperature, about 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours or up to 1 week.
• Whisk the remaining 1/2 cup heavy cream in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. Slowly whisk the whipped cream into the chilled eggnog mixture, then whisk in the rum. Pour into glasses, sprinkle with nutmeg and serve with cinnamon sticks.

EGGNOG

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and stir to combine.
• Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
• Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.
• Cook's Note: For cooked eggnog, follow procedure below.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream and nutmeg and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to the pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat, stir in the bourbon, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill.
• In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. With the mixer running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Whisk the egg whites into the chilled mixture.

TRADITIONAL EGGNOG

Steps:

• Beat eggs with an electric mixer on medium speed until very frothy, 2 to 3 minutes. Gradually beat in sugar, vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Stir in cream, milk, brandy, and rum. Chill before serving. Sprinkle individual servings with remaining nutmeg.

CHEF JOHN'S HOMEMADE EGGNOG

Steps:

• Place egg yolks in a saucepan. Whisk in sugar until well blended and creamy. Add milk and cream; whisk until blended. Place pan over medium heat; whisk frequently until mixture reaches a temperature of between 170 to 180 degrees F (75 to 80 degrees C) using an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat. Stir in nutmeg and whiskey.
• Chill pan in cold water until cool. Transfer mixture to a container (a large pitcher is ideal). Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, 2 to 3 hours.
• Place egg whites in a bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Add sugar and continue whisking until egg whites hold a firmer peak. Whisk egg whites into custard base until thoroughly blended. Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
• Whisk eggnog again just before serving and between each pour to ensure even distribution of the egg whites which tend to float to the top. Serve with a dusting of nutmeg.

ELEGANT EGGNOG DESSERT

Steps:

• Cut 20 cookies into three (3) 2" sections and set aside. Crush remaining cookies.
• In a small bowl, combine the cookie crumbs with the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.
• Press onto the bottom of a 9" springform pan.
• In large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
• Beat in the eggnog, milk, pudding mixes, rum extract and nutmeg until smooth.
• Fold in the whipping cream (be sure to whip first).
• Pour over crust, cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight.
• Just before serving, remove sides of pan.
• Arrange reserved cookes around dessert (standing up) and gently press into sides.
• Refrigerate leftovers.
• Cooking time is actually chilling time.

CAPITAL EGGNOG

Steps:

• Heat the milk, cream and nutmeg in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until steaming, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and keep warm.
• Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a separate saucepan until smooth. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture coats a spoon and registers 160 degrees F on a thermometer, about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and gradually whisk in the warm milk mixture. Let cool 30 minutes.
• Transfer the eggnog to a pitcher, cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day. Pour 1 to 2 tablespoons bourbon into each glass. Top with the eggnog and sprinkle with nutmeg.

ELEGANT EGGS

Steps:

• Combine the beaten eggs, milk, hot sauce, and spices. Set aside.
• Heat a non-stick skillet to medium-high heat and melt butter.
• Add onion and scatter. Saute, stirring occassionally, to allow the onion to carmelize.
• When onion is browned to your liking, scatter it evenly around the skillet and lower heat to medium.
• Add the egg mixture to hot skillet. It will set quickly from the heat, but resist the temptation to move it around.
• After 1-2 minutes, push the cooked egg to one side, allowing the wet egg to run onto the hot skillet. Continue this on alternating sides of the pan until you've got a neat little pillow of browned, oniony, delicious scrambled eggs that are set to your liking.
• NOTE: Or, if you're not anal-rententive like me, scramble the eggs however you like and enjoy. It won't be as attractive, but will be just as tasty.