How many ways can you ‘eggnog’?
Eggnog is a holiday favourite that has a very close connection to the Christmas holiday season! At its most basic, eggnog is a mix of cream, milk, sugar and beaten eggs. And from there, it’s up to you.
No matter where the tradition began (some say Central Europe, others say England), the tradition has travelled well wherever it lands, usually always adopting its own local twist!
In England ale or wine is often added to give the eggnog a little boost. In the southern United States, bourbon replaces the ale. In Puerto Rico its called ‘coquito’ with rum being the liquor of choice and in Peru the holidays are celebrated with a ‘biblia con pisco’ which is a version of eggnog with Peruvian brandy added to the mix! In my homeland of Germany, we make a soup version of eggnog with beer -- we call it ‘Biersuppe’!
I have friends whose holiday season wouldn’t be the same without eggnog. They serve it anyway and anytime they can from mid-November through to New Year’s day!
How many ways can they ‘eggnog’? (I bet you didn’t know eggnog could be used as a verb!) Well they ‘eggnog’ in cake, in cookies, in coffee, with liquor, without liquor, and they’ve even made eggnog shakes!
In a tribute to everyone who loves eggnog, we offer some of their favourite eggnog recipes:
Delicious Holiday Eggnog
Eggnog Cake
Eggnog Cookies
Eggnog Latte
Eggnog Safety…
Every year the question comes up about the safety of making homemade eggnog.
According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency you can safely make eggnog at home providing you handle and prepare the ingredients safely. First it is recommended that you use pasteurized egg products (found at most grocery stores). It is important to heat the egg/milk mixture to at least 71°C (160°F). Pour into a bowl and place over an ice-water bath, stirring frequently until mixture is cool (about 15 minutes). Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, and keep refrigerated until ready to use.
Did you know?
- According to Captain John Smith, the first eggnog reportedly consumed in the United States was at his 1607 Jamestown, Virginia settlement.
- Nog’ is an English word for strong ale, and eggnog was said to be originally made with ale.
- According to Statistics Canada, there are over 5.9 million litres of eggnog sold commercially each year in Canada, with virtually all sales occurring during November & December.
- One large egg contains only 70 calories and contains all nine essential amino acids, making them a complete protein food.
- A Tom and Jerry is a popular eggnog variation that includes brandy. ...Others say the word ‘nog’ is a variation of the word ‘grog’ which refers to any drink made with rum.
- Yet another interpretation says ‘nog’ comes from the word ‘noggin’ which was a small, wooden carved mug used in taverns to serve drinks. The English “dry sack posset” concoction of sherry and milk was thought to be served in these ‘noggin’ mugs -- hence the term ‘nog’.
- Canadian egg producers produced 576.9 million dozen eggs in 2007, with egg consumption estimated to be approximately 12.3 dozen eggs per person annually.
- At various times in history, eggnog was also known as ‘egg flip’.