Aunt Helens Eggnog Recipes

AMAZINGLY GOOD EGGNOG

Steps:

• Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan, and heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil.
• In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs. Pour mixture into saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves, and let cool for about 1 hour.
• Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoon vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate for 8 hours, or overnight, before serving.

AUNT GRACE'S EGGNOG

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat 4 cups milk until bubbles form around sides of pan. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk eggs and 1 cup sugar until blended. Slowly stir in hot milk; return all to saucepan., Cook over medium-low heat until slightly thickened and a thermometer reads at least 160°, 6-8 minutes, stirring constantly (do not allow to boil). Immediately transfer to a large bowl., Stir in rum, brandy, nutmeg and remaining milk. Refrigerate, covered, several hours or until cold., In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add remaining sugar; beat until soft peaks form. Fold into egg mixture. (Mixture may separate; stir before serving.) If desired, serve with cinnamon sticks and additional nutmeg.

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.

AUNT HELEN'S EGGNOG

Steps:

• Beat together eggs, condensed milk and vanilla.
• Slowly beat in milk.
• Gently fold in whipped cream.
• If you are adding alcohol, rum, brandy or bourbon are the traditional choices.
• Sprinkle nutmeg on top to taste.

AUNT HELEN'S OPERA FUDGE

Steps:

• Put cream and sugar in a large saucepan. Heat on medium to medium-high. Stir until it comes to a boil, then add cream of tartar. Using a candy thermometer, cook and stir constantly till it reaches 238 degrees F. Immediately pour onto a large, cooled marble candy-making slab (or something similar that will stay cold) until the mixture is cooled.
• Then mix well until it turns white and mounds. Cover with a damp cloth for 1/2 hour or so.
• Then knead it like bread until it's smooth. You can have it plain or add small bits of candied fruit and nuts, if you like, and knead into it.
• Roll it into a log on some waxed paper or plastic wrap, and keep refrigerated. Serve by slicing 1/4 inch slices off and serving on a pretty little plate.