Spiked Eggnog Food

SPIKED EGGNOG

Steps:

• Beat eggs in a bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed until very frothy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, vanilla extract, and nutmeg gradually while beating. Turn the mixer off and manually stir in whipping cream, milk, brandy, and spiced rum. Chill before serving.

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.

SPIKED EGGNOG

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, add the milk, cloves, cinnamon stick and vanilla. Heat on low for about 5 minutes and then slowly bring to a boil over medium heat. Promptly remove from heat to avoid scalding.
• While milk is heating, in a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar.
• Slowly and gradually ladle the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Whisking with each ladle of milk. Return this mixture (cloves and cinnamon included) back to the saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes, continually whisking. The mixture will begin to thicken.
• Run the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the cloves and cinnamon stick. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Stir in the half and half, brandy, and additional nutmeg. Chill for another 4-8 hours or overnight.
• Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and nutmeg, if desired.

SPICED CHOCOLATE EGGNOG

Steps:

• Heat 2 quarts milk, the sugar, salt, vanilla seeds and pod, and cinnamon sticks in a large pot over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves and mixture is heated through. Remove from heat. Let stand for 30 minutes.
• Prepare an ice-water bath. Whisk yolks in a medium bowl until pale, about 2 minutes. Whisk 1 cup of milk mixture into yolks in a slow, steady stream. Whisk yolk mixture into remaining milk mixture. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture registers 180 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, about 6 minutes. (Do not boil.)
• Remove pot from heat, add melted bittersweet and milk chocolates, and stir until incorporated. Discard vanilla pod and cinnamon sticks. Pour mixture into a large bowl set in ice-water bath, and let cool, stirring often.
• Whisk cream until soft peaks form. Pour cooled eggnog into a large serving bowl, and add brandy if using. (Add more milk to eggnog if necessary to reach desired consistency.) Top with whipped cream. Grate nutmeg over top, and sprinkle sparingly with cayenne. Serve immediately with churros on the side if desired.