Eggnog
September 30, 2009 | Print | E-mail | Filed under eggs, flavor of the month
Eggnog might seem a little strange for this month’s Flavor of the Month – a tribute to John Hughes – so let me explain. Every year around Christmas, we have certain traditions. With my family, it’s always been to watch It’s a Wonderful Life and to get up early on Christmas morning and open presents, after which my mom would always make an amazing breakfast. Now that hubby and I are married, we share the traditions of both our families, as well as some of our own. One of our traditions started during our college years is to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, so I decided that my tribute just had to have something to do with this movie. What I love most about the movie is the dry humor that Chevy Chase delivers without flinching, and one of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Clark and Eddie are drinking eggnog out of moose mugs. Clark says, “Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?” It has me rolling on the floor every time.
Unfortunately I don’t have moose mugs in which to proudly display my eggnog, so a regular coffee cup will have to do. The eggnog really wasn’t all that hard to make though, so I’m glad I now have this in my arsenal for the fast approaching holiday season!
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 pint milk
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks together with the sugar until the mixture becomes crumbly.
In a medium saucepan, scald (bring to almost boiling, but not quite) the milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
Pour a bit of the hot mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly as you pour in order to temper the eggs. Then, pour the egg mixture into the saucepan, and cook on medium heat until the mixture begins to thicken. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream.
Let cool, and then move to the refrigerator to chill. Or you can drink it warm, if you’d like – I enjoy it both ways! Serves about 4.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:05 am
I LOVE Christmas Vacation! What a great tradition!
Also, I’ve never made eggnog; I’m looking forward to trying this! Thanks for linking it up!
September 30th, 2009 at 10:14 am
HA! HA! Our Christmas Vacation tradition is to watch it on Thanksgiving, after the meal
We have done it for years (my entire family watches) It “kicks off” our season! I LOVE that you love it 
We quote the lines all year round and the eggnog line is one of the best! The other best part of that scene is that Eddie has on a hilarious dickie 
I will try out your nog recipe! Thanks for putting a smile on my face this morning!
September 30th, 2009 at 11:29 am
I want to put on christmas music right now and start getting ready for christmas! This eggnog sounds AMAZING!!!!
September 30th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Hahahaha I love that movie! My favorite part is where Eddie says “Merry Christmas…shitter was full.” I know a lot of people don’t like that movie but I personally believe they are wrong:) Now this eggnog looks great! My step dad used to make homemade eggnog but I never got his recipe. I will have to give this a try….I crave delicious eggnog around the holidays….great idea:)
September 30th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Yum, I love egg nog! I never make it though and I probably should!
This is the first christmassy recipe I’ve seen this year, Its going to get me started!
September 30th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I didn’t participate this month.. time just got away from me. But I love the reason that you picked eggnog. I don’t know that I have ever liked egg nog but I’ve probably never tried a good homemade version. May have to give this a try this Christmas.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Can you believe I have never tried eggnog? This goes perfectly with this movie, another John Hughes classic.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
HA! One of my favorites … my husband and I watch that one together each Christmas season … kids are too little still. Looks fabulous … I bet it’s the hap, hap, happiest Christmas eggnog ever! (I won’t quote that any further).
October 1st, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Ill take Eggnog ANYTIME of the year, love love love it and homemade is always best! Now you have me craving eggnog…..
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:52 pm
I love egg nog (the virgin kind), so this is perfect! Thanks for the step-by-step photos.
October 5th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
This is the perfect time for Egg Nog! As soon as the chill comes to the air! I’m bookmarking this recipe!
October 11th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
I had no idea that you could make egg nog at home. What a treat! I love egg nog.