Hello everyone, I'm hoping your holiday season and the last minute "rush" is going well for you all. I'm pleased that I've finally gotten almost all of my sewing done (amongst other things I had to make a total of 35 stockings, whew sooooooo over it, LOL). So now in the days before XMAS I must wrap up a few things on my holiday menu and I was hoping that maybe you all could provide a tad bit of recipe inspiration (and please pardon the rant)....
Ever since I was little, I am a completely devoted lover of Egg-Nog (of course without the alcohol) :-D As an adult, I still adore it (and I usually still drink it without alcohol but have "spiked" on hand as well for the guests). Thus far to satisfy my cravings since I really only drink it during this time of year, I've been picking up the Dean's Lowfat Premade in my supermarket's dairy section (total instant gratification).
Growing up - my family always made our noggish delight from Borden's Egg Nog (the kind in a can). Now I realize that true "purists" probably want to slap me in the face for that, but in terms of childhood memories, it is a fond one especially since my mother is gone, and I still love that damned eggnog in a can. When I went to the store the other day to shop for the holidays, I saw the cans of them. You'd have thought I would have grinned in delight and carted off with a case of them, but instead of doing that - I cried and cried. Sufficeth to say this year has been a really rough one for me, and one in particular that has left me more often than not - really, really missing my Mother. As a result, for the first time ever, I just couldn't bring myself to buy those "cans".
Holiday traditions are what they are... traditions. But given my rather unusually emotional state this year, and my desire to not to be dwelling in the holiday blues this year - I've endeavored to break the mold for the very first time ever in all my earthly years. I've eaten the same traditional and ethnic XMAS Dinner every year since I could eat solid foods. However, this year instead - I'll be making my very first Lamb Leg Roast and the associated trimmings to do something completely different. So I decided that I would venture even further out on a limb to do something my family has never ever done... and that is to make the Eggnog from scratch. Eggnog has always been the most looked forward to staple and centerpiece of the holiday season (even moreso than any dessert), as it is only at XMAS time through New Years that we'd drink it and our family (sadly enough) looked at it as some special kind of tonic, LOL that would bring holiday cheer. LMAO - as an adult I now understand why ;) but I digress...
I've spent hours online researching the perfect recipe (because obviously I don't want to mess it up) and reading review after review (sad I know over just Eggnog and I had no problem committing to a particular Lamb Recipe). Of course there are a million and one recipies, so it's hard to pick out the best one, and one that is truly well recieved. Furthermore, and not withstanding the "concerns" that exist respective to using uncooked vs. cooked eggs in the Nog, I just don't know which route to go or what recipe to use. Given our little online community here, I'd actually feel better asking individuals I feel I can trust via my online family what suggestions they have for homemade Eggnog recipies that are tried and true in their home for the holidays... (for those of you who might go that extra mile to make it homemade and not serve just the pre-purchased kind).
So, for those of you who wouldn't mind helping a girl out - your kind insights and discussion on this topic are most gratefully appreciated!!!
Explosive blessings, abundance and inspiration to you all!
- The Creative Seamstress