HOMEMADE EGGNOG

1 TBS homemade pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp nutmeg (or to taste)

Place some ice and water into a large mixing bowl; set aside for now.

Bring a saucepan 1/4 to 1/3 full of water to a simmer. Whisk together the milk, vanilla, cloves and cinnamon in a bowl and place it over the simmering water. (Or make it easy on yourself and use a double boiler.)

SLOWLY bring the milk mixture to a slow boil; turning up the heat a little at a time until the water is boiling.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yolks and white sugar until light and fluffy. Place this bowl over ice water that you set aside.

Pour 1/4 cup of the hot milk mixture slowly into the yolks, beating to temper them. Slowly, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of hot milk again while beating the mixture.

Now slowly pour the remaining hot milk mixture in with the yolk mixture, while continually beating to prevent scrambled or curdled eggs. (Are you getting thirsty yet? It's almost done.)

Pour this mixture into the saucepan that you used to heat the milk and cook mixture for three minutes or so; until thickened. DO NOT BOIL. Pour into your serving bowl and let cool for an hour.

Add the rum, cream, vanilla and nutmeg to the cooled eggnog and whisk well. Pour yourself a cup first, and serve with a smile on your face. It's that good. Great homemade eggnog.




This is a wonderful recipe for Tom and Jerry's. As always, this is a great base to start with and adjust the spices to your taste buds. Makes approximately 3-1/2 cups.

TOM AND JERRY RECIPE

1/2 pound homemade unsalted butter, softened
3-3/4 cups homemade powdered sugar
6 eggs, separated (yolks in small bowl and whites into mixing bowl)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground mace
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add one egg yolk at a time into the fluffy butter mixing well after each addition.

Beat the egg whites in a cold bowl until it forms soft mounds - not sharp peaks (you don't have to beat as long).

Fold the egg yolk/butter mixture into the mounded egg whites. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Keep this in the freezer or refrigerator until serving.

Do you want to make one? Here's how...

You will need rum and brandy. If you just want to use one kind of liquor - that's up to you. Add 1-1/2 ounces (or to your taste) of rum and/or brandy to a mug and fill up with water until it's 2/3 full.

Microwave until hot (or keep hot water on the stove) and top it off with 2 or 3 tablespoons (or 4 or 5) of the Tom and Jerry mix. Sprinkle with nutmeg and serve.

(These will catch up with you depending how strong you make them. Be sure to serve your M-I-L first. I've seen people make fools of themselves, so I thought I'd warn you)...