Nashville Eggnog Food

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.

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.

SCRATCH EGGNOG WAFFLES

Steps:

• Plug in an electric waffle iron to heat.
• Make whipped cream: Beat whipping cream, vanilla extract, cream of tartar and a pinch of salt until you have fairly stiff peaks. Refrigerate the whipped cream.
• Make waffles: Whisk the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add the oil and eggs then slowly whisk in the eggnog, starting with about a half cup. The ultimate amount of eggnog required will depend on the characteristics of your flour, the humidity and temperature. Add eggnog and whisk until the mixture is the consistency of heavy whipping cream.
• Cook the waffles according your griddle's instructions. Serve each with a dollop of whipped cream with a candy cane on top. Dust with powdered sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon or mace as desired. Serve with warmed syrup of choice. (Peppermint infused maple syrup might be nice if not 'over the top'!).

NASHVILLE EGGNOG

Steps:

• Stir booze with the egg yolks.
• Mix cream and sugar, then blend with booze.
• Beat egg whites until stiff, fold gently into the other mixture.
• Garnish with cloves and nutmeg.
• Serve in small mugs.