To all my readers worldwide,
Have a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy your dinner and your gifts and think of those who have less. Hope that they have a good holiday as well and that they have food on their tables. Enjoy all the family favorite recipes and the sweets. Relax with a cup of cocoa or brandy laced egg nog as you enjoy your tree and presents. Enjoy your family and what they give you - not just their gifts but their laughter and smiles, their hearts and souls.
Liz
Showing posts with label egg nog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label egg nog. Show all posts
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Holidays With Punch
Christmas and New Year's Parties need a good punch to start going.No, not the kind where someone fist slams into your arm,. but a delicious mix of juices, sodas , dairy and various kinds of alcohol. Punches make any holiday gathering special . They add zip and zing along with great tastes. Best of all you can tailor any punch recipe to fit your crowd. Make them to suit the mood, whether they're light or heavy..
The drink is really an Indian concoction known as panch . English traders from the East India Company brought the party drink back to the United Kingdom as early as 1632. It soon became a hit and with the introduction of rum a few years later on became an English holiday staple. The American colonists fell for it and it became a staple of all sorts of occasions, from ceremonies to various holidays.One of the most popular is Planter's punch.It's a great drink, with a combo of rum along with tropical fruit juices and a dash of curacao.It would be perfect for a Caribbean themed barbecue to welcome in the New Year. You can also do variations on the German punsch or Spanish sangria. These are light mixtures that just require fruit and a white or red wine. Some are also made with sparkling varieties such as Prosecco or Asti Spumante.
Heavier punches are another way to go. These are usually made with heavy cream and are perfect with cakes and cookies. One of the most famous is, of course, egg nog. This is a heavy mixture that involves six eggs plus extras yolks along with whole milk and cream. Bourbon is then added to it for kick. It is a great drink however not one that would go well with all holiday savories. I would have it rather with some short breads or crisp buttery snaps . Another heavy but heavenly cream punch is one made with ice cream. The frozen treat is added in chunks to a basic egg nog recipe and then whipped into a thick froth.Of course you can make cream punch just with low fat milk or even soy for a lighter taste and texture.
Holiday punches are a great addition to any party. You can create one to suit the mood, the food or just what people want. It can be light and fruity or heavy and creamy. However you make it, your punch will surely make an impact on your guests!
The drink is really an Indian concoction known as panch . English traders from the East India Company brought the party drink back to the United Kingdom as early as 1632. It soon became a hit and with the introduction of rum a few years later on became an English holiday staple. The American colonists fell for it and it became a staple of all sorts of occasions, from ceremonies to various holidays.One of the most popular is Planter's punch.It's a great drink, with a combo of rum along with tropical fruit juices and a dash of curacao.It would be perfect for a Caribbean themed barbecue to welcome in the New Year. You can also do variations on the German punsch or Spanish sangria. These are light mixtures that just require fruit and a white or red wine. Some are also made with sparkling varieties such as Prosecco or Asti Spumante.
Heavier punches are another way to go. These are usually made with heavy cream and are perfect with cakes and cookies. One of the most famous is, of course, egg nog. This is a heavy mixture that involves six eggs plus extras yolks along with whole milk and cream. Bourbon is then added to it for kick. It is a great drink however not one that would go well with all holiday savories. I would have it rather with some short breads or crisp buttery snaps . Another heavy but heavenly cream punch is one made with ice cream. The frozen treat is added in chunks to a basic egg nog recipe and then whipped into a thick froth.Of course you can make cream punch just with low fat milk or even soy for a lighter taste and texture.
Holiday punches are a great addition to any party. You can create one to suit the mood, the food or just what people want. It can be light and fruity or heavy and creamy. However you make it, your punch will surely make an impact on your guests!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Toast A Holiday Classic -Egg Nog
One of the richest and tastiest of all the Christmas and New Year's traditions is eggnog. This creamy,boozy brew has been around for centuries, delighting generations at the holidays. There's nothing better than a cup of nog and good friends.
Egg nog is one of America's earliest inventions. It was a variation of milk and wine punches served throughout 17th and 18th Century Europe. The colonists decided to add their own spin by substituting the wine with the ever plentiful rum and the milk with cream. Whole eggs were also added in, to give the drink more body. The name started off as egg and grog and over the years evolved into egg nog. Another theory for the name was that it was first served in a wooden cup called a noggin (which held a mix of Spanish sherry and milk or a sack posset. )It was popular not just at Christmas but at any New Year's open house.
Like our ancestors you can make your own version of this rich drink. Unlike our ancestors, don't wind up with salmonella. Heat the eggs up in a gentle bath for a few seconds.Use a bain marie or double boiler. This will kill off any bacteria that could be there and enables you to have a safe drink. As for cream, I'd recommend whole because you want a rich, frothy brew. As for the alcohol , you can go traditional and add rum . It's probably the best choice be cause of its' sweet flavor which lends an almost caramel undertaste to the nog. Some recipes do call for sherry or bourbon. These give a different spin to your nog and may be too strong for some tastes. You can make an non alcoholic egg nog if you want (perfect for Christmas parties ). Just remember to add sugar and vanilla extract for flavoring.
This is the season for a good cup of egg nog. Toast the holidays with this traditional , creamy drink. It's the perfect way to celebrate with family and friends.
Egg nog is one of America's earliest inventions. It was a variation of milk and wine punches served throughout 17th and 18th Century Europe. The colonists decided to add their own spin by substituting the wine with the ever plentiful rum and the milk with cream. Whole eggs were also added in, to give the drink more body. The name started off as egg and grog and over the years evolved into egg nog. Another theory for the name was that it was first served in a wooden cup called a noggin (which held a mix of Spanish sherry and milk or a sack posset. )It was popular not just at Christmas but at any New Year's open house.
Like our ancestors you can make your own version of this rich drink. Unlike our ancestors, don't wind up with salmonella. Heat the eggs up in a gentle bath for a few seconds.Use a bain marie or double boiler. This will kill off any bacteria that could be there and enables you to have a safe drink. As for cream, I'd recommend whole because you want a rich, frothy brew. As for the alcohol , you can go traditional and add rum . It's probably the best choice be cause of its' sweet flavor which lends an almost caramel undertaste to the nog. Some recipes do call for sherry or bourbon. These give a different spin to your nog and may be too strong for some tastes. You can make an non alcoholic egg nog if you want (perfect for Christmas parties ). Just remember to add sugar and vanilla extract for flavoring.
This is the season for a good cup of egg nog. Toast the holidays with this traditional , creamy drink. It's the perfect way to celebrate with family and friends.
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