Southern Eggnog Food

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.

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.

CLASSIC EGGNOG

Steps:

• Separate the egg yolks from the whites. In a stand mixer, beat the whites on high speed until transformed into a meringue-like consistency with soft peaks.
• In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the milk, cream, sugar, bourbon, rum and Cognac or brandy until a smooth texture is achieved. Gently fold in the beaten egg whites until combined.
• Transfer eggnog into a large serving bowl. Chill overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• To serve, ladle a few ounces into a mug or glass and grate fresh nutmeg over the surface. For ideal flavor, mix will keep in the refrigerator up to two weeks, but can last longer.

DEEP SOUTH EGGNOG CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
• Beat 1/2 cup butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add eggs, one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into butter mixture before adding the next. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon lemon peel, mixing well.
• Combine 2 cups flour, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Pour flour mixture into the batter alternately with 1 cup eggnog, mixing until just incorporated. Stir in bourbon. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
• Bake in preheated oven until cake springs back when touched lightly with a fingertip or a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes (test both cake layers). Cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting on a wire rack to cool completely.
• To make frosting, combine 1/4 cup flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a saucepan. Gradually whisk in 1 1/2 cups eggnog, whisking until smooth.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. When mixture boils, cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool completely to room temperature.
• Beat 1 cup butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy. Mix in cooled eggnog mixture, 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, rum extract, and 1/8 teaspoon grated lemon peel. Beat on high speed until mixture is fully incorporated and frosting is fluffy.
• Spread cake with plain frosting between cake layers, over the top and on the sides. Coat the sides with toasted pecans, pressing the nuts onto sides in small handfuls. Refrigerate until serving time.

SOUTHERN EGGNOG

Steps:

• Combine pudding mix, sugar, and 1/4 cup of the milk in a 2-quart saucepan.
• Add slighly beaten egg yolks and blend well.
• Then add remaining milk; mix well.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a full boil, about 10 minutes.
• Cool.
• Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into cooled pudding mixture.
• Add vanilla and brandy; then chill several hours.
• Just before serving, whip the cream.
• Spoon onto eggnog and sprinkle with nutmeg.

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.

EGGNOG

Steps:

• In a 2 quart pot, whisk the eggs until creamy.
• Add the sugar and whisk again.
• Pour in 4 cups of the milk, whisk again.
• Add the corn starch and nutmeg, whisk again.
• Cook over medium heat until it just begins to steam and simmer (About 10 minutes).
• DO NOT stop whisking.
• Remove from heat.
• Whisk in remaining milk and vanilla.
• Refrigerate for about 6 hours to thicken.
• Add more corn starch in step 4 if you prefer a thicker beverage.

COMFORTABLE EGGNOG

Steps:

• Combine chilled ingredients in a shaker (no ice). Shake well.
• Strain into a chilled martini glass.
• Top with a dollop of whipped cream and dust with nutmeg.

OLD-FASHIONED EGGNOG

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, whisk together the eggs, sugar and salt. Gradually add 1 qt. milk. Cook and stir over low heat until a thermometer reads 160°, about 25 minutes. Pour into a large bowl; stir in vanilla, nutmeg and remaining milk. Place bowl in an ice-water bath; stir frequently until cool. If mixture separates, process in a blender until smooth. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours., When ready to serve, beat cream in a bowl on high until soft peaks form; whisk gently into cooled mixture. Pour eggnog into a chilled 5-qt. punch bowl. If desired, top with dollops of whipped cream, sprinkle with additional nutmeg and serve with cinnamon sticks.