CHEERS!

For many people (and count my husband among them), the Christmas Season brings a special treat m the form of … Holiday Eggnog!  So I’ve got two recipes for non alcoholic eggnog that are REALLY good.  One comes from our friends from San Diego, the Stewart Family, who say this is their #1 Christmas Tradition.  The second one is for those (like me) who don’t like eggs.

STEWART FAMILY EGGNOG

3 eggs

2 cans Eagle Brand milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. sugar
2 qts. milk
1 pint whipping cream

In bowl, combine eggs, condensed milk, vanilla and sugar; gently beat. Add milk and stir.

In separate bowl, beat whipping cream. When fluffy, set aside a small amount for garnish. Fold the rest into eggnog mixture.

Pour into Christmas mugs or holiday stemware. sprinkle with a dash of nutmeg; top with a dollop of whipping cream squirted from a pastry bag.

Make a little more than 2 quarts ... CHEERS!

NO EGG EGGNOG

6 cups milk
1 (4-serving) pkg. instant vanilla pudding & pie filling
4 teaspoons rum extract
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, divided
2 cups heavy cream (1 pint)
2 T. confectioners' sugar

In a punch bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix; mix well. Add the rum extract and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg; mix well and set aside.

In a medium bowl, beat the heavy cream and confectioners' sugar until stiff peaks form. Add half of the whipped cream mixture to the milk mixture; stir until well blended.

Dollop the remaining whipped cream mixture over the top and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Serve immediately. 

HAVE A TOM AND JERRY

One of my Grandmother’s most cherished possessions was a Tom and Jerry Punch bowl with all the serving cups.  What is a Tom and Jerry, you’re probably asking.

A Tom and Jerry is a wonderful holiday drink! In fact, it is a classic Christmas cocktail developed in the early 19th century. Once you make your first batch, it gets a bit addictive, as it is so easy to make and so delicious! This drink is a Christmas tradition in many homes.

The drink is often mistaken for eggnog - but eggnog it is not!  A Tom and Jerry is light and spicy, with a sweet foamy crown that forms when hot water is stirred into the batter. Once you've sprinkled the top with nutmeg, it is ready to drink. Being a strict Wesleyan Methodist, Mamaw just left the alcohol out, so I’m not adding it to the recipe here.

Tom and Jerry Batter Recipe

(Triple the recipe if you’re expecting guests)

6 eggs, separated and room temperature
2 1/4 cups superfine sugar, divided
Salt to taste (just a small pinch)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup powdered milk
Boiling water
Nutmeg

Preparation:

In a small bowl, beat egg yolks until thick; set aside.

In a large bowl of your electric mixer, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Using a spatula, fold 1/2 cup superfine or granulated sugar slowly into the prepared egg whites.

Using your rubber spatula, fold the beaten egg yolks into the egg whites with the sugar.

Add the remaining 1 3/4 cups superfine or granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract.

Still using your rubber spatula, slowly and gradually fold in the powdered milk.

Store, covered, in the refrigerator, and use as needed. Will keep up to one (1) week in the refrigerator. Mixture will probably separate in the refrigerator. No problem - just stir and use. The drink will still turn out frothy and delicious.  Serves MANY.

How To Make Tom and Jerry Drinks:

Place 1 to 3 heaping tablespoons of prepared Tom and Jerry batter into each cup (amount depends on size of cup and to your taste preference). That would be 3 heaping tablespoons for an 8-ounce cup.

Add boiling water to fill cups to 3/4 full.  Stir until well blended. Sprinkle with nutmeg.  Serve and enjoy!