Holly Jolly Eggnog Food

HOLLY JOLLY EGGNOG

Steps:

• Beat the yolks to a froth (until light in color) and beat in the sugar. Slowly stir in the liquor (no sipping! You might get tipsy just smelling it!). Whip the cream and stir into the mixture. Beat the whites with clean beaters until light and foamy, but not stiff, and stir them into the mixture.
• After the eggnog has set it develops a "crust". This should be cut through to quarter the "crust" and the eggnog stirred in the same direction. (because grandma said so!)
• This eggnog has a different consistency and texture from most should be made at least a day ahead and kept cold. It makes a lot!

HOLIDAY EGGNOG

Steps:

• For the mulled cider: Combine the peppercorns, star anise, allspice, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom in a large stockpot over medium heat. Toast the spices until aromatic, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour in the cider, carrot juice, ginger juice, sugar, orange zest, nutmeg and kosher salt. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture sit uncovered until the cider is aromatic and the spices are well infused, 1 to 2 hours. Strain the cider through a fine sieve or cheesecloth; discard the solids. (The cider can be made in advance and reheated prior to serving.)
• For the eggnog batter: Separate the whites and yolks of the eggs into 2 medium size mixing bowls. Whip the yolks with the nutmeg, cinnamon, rum and salt. Gradually add 1/4 cup of the sugar. Mix until the texture is silky and the sugar is fully incorporated. Set aside.
• Whip the egg whites on medium-high speed, gradually incorporating the remaining 1/8 cup of sugar. Whip until stiff peaks form.
• Gently fold the egg white mixture into the yolk mixture. This batter has a lifespan of about one evening. Be sure to use fresh eggs as these will be served in a raw state.
• To assemble the holiday eggnog: For each drink, mix together 4 ounces of the hot mulled cider, 2 ounces of the eggnog batter, 1 ounce of the rum and 1/2 ounce of the brandy in a heat-treated glass or mug. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

EGGNOG AND HOLLY PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Thaw pie crusts if necessary.
• Place bottom crust in pie pan; trim crust even with edge.
• Using a small holly leaf cookie cutter, cut about 30 holly leaves from remaining crust.
• Beat egg white in a bowl.
• Brush edge of pie crust and underside of leaves with egg white and arrange around edge of crust.
• The end effect will be clusters of 3 leaves (2 on the crust and 1 on top of the filling).
• Put extra leaves on cookie sheet.
• Beat egg yolk in small bowl.
• Add food color.
• Brush leaves with green mixture.
• Bake crust 9-11 minutes and bake extra leaves 3-4 minutes.
• Cool.
• In small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup egg nog.
• Let stand 1 minute to soften gelatin.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until dissolved.
• Remove from heat; set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, butter, and cream cheese.
• Beat on low until light and fluffy.
• Gradually add nutmeg, rum extract, gelatin mixture, and remaining egg nog.
• Beat on high until smooth.
• Refrigerate 15 minutes or until mixture mounds slightly when stirred.
• Pour into pie crust.
• Place extra holly leaves and red candies on filling to complete the holly leaf clusters.
• Sprinkle with nutmeg.
• Refrigerate until firm (about 4 hours).