Wheeler Family Eggnog Recipes

EGGNOG

Steps:

• For the eggnog: Heat the milk and cream in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until warm.
• Meanwhile, in a bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar until light, fluffy and pale in color.
• Temper the egg yolks by adding a couple ladles of the warm milk/cream mixture into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. Add the mixture back to the pot over medium heat. Continue to cook, gently stirring, until thick, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a separate container and chill for at least 1 hour, then stir in the nutmeg.
• For the cocktail: When ready to serve, add the maple syrup and crushed gingersnaps to separate small plates. Run the rim of each martini glass in the maple syrup, then dip the rim in the crushed gingersnaps.
• For each drink, pour 3/4 cup of the eggnog into a cocktail shaker with ice and add 2 ounces of the bourbon. Shake vigorously, then pour into the prepared glass. Sprinkle over a little nutmeg and serve.

DAD'S EGGNOG

Steps:

• Combine the half-and-half, whole milk, allspice and sugar in a large saucepan and heat until steaming.
• Whisk the egg yolks in a small bowl and ladle some of the hot mixture into the bowl while whisking constantly. Then whisk the tempered egg mixture back into the remaining hot liquid. Stir until mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon, then place immediately into an ice water bath. Once it has cooled down to room temperature, add liquors and chill. Serve very cold.

OVERNIGHT EGGNOG

Steps:

• Combine milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring every so often, until spices become one with the milk, 3 to 5 minutes. Be sure to stir from the bottom of the pot so the milk doesn't burn.
• Meanwhile, whisk egg yolks and cane sugar together in a large mixing bowl until pale yellow, thick, and smooth.
• Remove milk mixture from the stove. Pour some of the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture, whisking quickly to avoid scrambling the eggs. Continue, pouring a little bit at a time and whisking, until all has been added.
• Pour the mixture back into the pot and place over medium heat. Stir constantly with a spatula until eggnog thickens and becomes light beige in color, about 5 minutes; it should leave a slight film on the spatula. Remove from the heat.
• Pour whipping cream and nutmeg into a pitcher. Pour eggnog mixture into the whipping cream and mix with the spatula to combine. Place in the refrigerator, 8 hours to overnight for best enjoyment. Stir before serving.

CHEF JOHN'S HOMEMADE EGGNOG

Steps:

• Place egg yolks in a saucepan. Whisk in sugar until well blended and creamy. Add milk and cream; whisk until blended. Place pan over medium heat; whisk frequently until mixture reaches a temperature of between 170 to 180 degrees F (75 to 80 degrees C) using an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat. Stir in nutmeg and whiskey.
• Chill pan in cold water until cool. Transfer mixture to a container (a large pitcher is ideal). Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, 2 to 3 hours.
• Place egg whites in a bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Add sugar and continue whisking until egg whites hold a firmer peak. Whisk egg whites into custard base until thoroughly blended. Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
• Whisk eggnog again just before serving and between each pour to ensure even distribution of the egg whites which tend to float to the top. Serve with a dusting of nutmeg.

WHEELER FAMILY EGGNOG

Steps:

• Beat together egg yolks and sugar until thick and light lemon colored. Slowly beat in vanilla and alcohol, if using. Beat cream to soft peaks. Add salt to egg whites and beat until almost stiff, or until firm-soft peaks. In large container, fold whipped cream into yolk mixture, and then fold in beaten egg whites. Chill one hour. Stir in 3-6 cups of milk to thin nog to desired consistency. Transfer to serving bowl and sprinkle top with grated nutmeg. Serve with cognac or whiskey on the side if not already added to the mixture.