Victorian Eggnog Food

VICTORIAN EGGNOG

Steps:

• Bring cream and half and half to simmer in large saucepan. Whisk yolks and sugar in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk hot cream mixture into yolk mixture. Return mixture to same saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until mixture thickens and leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 4 minutes (do not boil). Strain into bowl. Stir in nutmeg. Cool slightly. (Can be made 1 day ahead, Cover and chill. If desired, rewarm over low heat stirring occasionally, before continuing).
• Divide warm or cold mixture amount 6 cups or glasses. Stir 1 tablespoon sherry into each. Sprinkle additional nutmeg over each and serve.

EARLY AMERICAN EGGNOG

Steps:

• Pour the brandy, sherry, rum, and whiskey into a bowl.
• Place the egg yolks and egg whites into two separate, large mixing bowls. Set the egg whites aside. Beat the egg yolks until light and frothy. Gradually beat in the sugar until the egg mixture is light colored. Slowly beat in the liquor mixture. With the mixer still running, pour in the milk and heavy cream until thoroughly blended.
• Using a clean beater, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the milk mixture. Pour into two clean, gallon-size plastic milk containers. Refrigerate at least 5 days, or 10 days for an even smoother taste. Shake the container occasionally to keep the alcohol from separating.
• To serve, pour the eggnog into a punch bowl. Whisk to blend milk mixture, add the quart of vanilla ice cream, and garnish with nutmeg.

CLASSIC EGGNOG

Steps:

• Heat milk, sugar, and vanilla bean and seeds in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisking until sugar has dissolved. Whisk yolks in a large bowl. Pour hot milk mixture into yolks in a slow, steady stream, whisking.
• Return milk-yolk mixture to pan, and cook over medium-low heat, whisking often, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 20 minutes (do not let simmer). Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl; discard bean. Whisk in cream, bourbon, and rum. Let cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour (up to 1 day). Serve sprinkled with nutmeg.

EGGNOG

Steps:

• Put the sugar in a saucepan with 75ml water. Simmer until the sugar has dissolved, then cool and chill.
• Beat the yolks with the vanilla until smooth. Add the condensed milk, brandy and cooled sugar syrup, mixing well.
• Pour into a jug and chill for at least 2 hrs. Serve within 24 hrs, over ice.