Tuesday, December 28, 2010

New Year's Tea

It's nearly time to ring out the old and ring in the new. What better way than to share it with Kimmie and all my Tea Tuesday friends. You can join, too. Since I still had my Holly glasses unpacked, I thought I would use them at least once more.


Today I'm serving eggnog in the same carafe I made sun tea in this summer. One of these days, I'll actually use this carafe for its intended use, using a tea light or sterno container to keep the liquid warm. However, eggnog, which I vowed I wouldn't make ever again, is usually served chilled and my vow has been broken.

I remembered making eggnog years ago and it took half a day to make it. However, I couldn't find the recipe I used in any of my cookbooks. I'm glad too, because I went on the internet and found one much easier and quicker.

There are tons of eggnog recipes on the internet, but the majority use raw eggs. I know! I ate raw eggs as a child when I "licked the batter bowl," but that exposure was minuscule compared to using six or eight eggs in a drink recipe. So here is the rexipe I used when I made this yesterday. I actually doubled it, since I'll be taking some to a friend this afternoon:

Ingredients:
  • 8 egg yolks
  • 2/3 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons
  • 1/2 quart whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 6 ounces bourbon (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 8 egg whites
Before we begin, I want to say I'm a non-alcohol drinker, so there is no alcohol in this recipe. However, I simply skipped the alcohol and it tastes as wonderful without the bourbon. You are more than welcome to add some when you visit me. I may even have some in my liquor cabinet left here by visiting friends. I don't have anything against it, I just don't care for the taste (and occasionally the smell) of any alcoholic beverage.

Instructions:

Beat egg yolks using a mixer until they lighten in color. This took about 5 minutes using my mixer. Gradually add 2/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream, and nutmeg. Bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to one pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F (71.1 C). Remove from the heat, stir in the bourbon if using it, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. With the mixer running gradually add 2 tablespoons of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold, then whisk the egg whites into the chilled mixture. Serve cold.


Add noisemakers and count down the timer to New Year's Day.


Today I'm visiting a friend whose gift I hope will finally be finished. As you can see, I've just added the embellishments to the quiltlet. I still need to wrap the stick and add either wire or ribbon I'll be using for the hanger. I felt this piece was disjointed and not exactly cohesive, but I tried all kinds of arrangements and this seemed to be the least disorganized (did I mention that composition is my downfall?). This is for a friend's new sewing room. I hope she likes it because altered art isn't exactly her thing. Next time I make something similar using old book pages, I'm going to follow Dianne's lead (see her fabric collage in my previous post) and coat the paper in matte or gloss medium.

Today marks my final Tea Tuesday blog. I was certain I had featured Nathalie when she first joined our little tea group, but a search of my blog shows that was not the case. So today I am pleased to introduce our latest Tea Tuesday player, Nathalie Thompson from An Artist's Legacy. Nathalie introduced me to the concept of orphan and widowed tea cups and saucers, and it opened my eyes to endless possibilities. Her blog is filled with art made from old thrift store and garage sale finds. And it is AWESOME art, too. Of course, she adds a few rubber stamps and some hand stitching to the mix, but most of her art comes from the same places mine comes from: other folks' cast-offs. I love what she makes, and of course, if you love it, she has an etsy store where you can buy some of her art. I hope you'll stop by and visit Nathalie today. An Artist's Legacy is well worth the visit.

13 thoughtful remarks:

Dianne said...

The quiltlet is lovely... I think the composition is right on! I'm sure she'll proudly display it. I'll be posting a Tuesday Tea post sometime today, as I rejoin the blogging world.

Anonymous said...

The quiltlet is very dear, I know that your friend will love it! Lovely to spend the last Tuesday of the year with you. See you next year! xoxoxo, Christen

sharon said...

Your quilt is adorable and I really enjoyed hearing your eggnog story! You have more energy than anyone I know, and you do all of it so well!

Darla said...

It would be a treat to hang that little quilt, I'm guessing it will be well received.

I'm not an eggnog fan but I'm glad you found an easier recipe and I like your holly glasses.

Darla

Unknown said...

Our family loves eggnog .... and I couldn't believe the price of it this year! I am happy to have a tested recipe ... thank you so much!!!

Now, when you say "final Tea Tuesday Blog." I hope you're not saying you won't be playing anymore! sometimes I'm a dunce and don't read things quite right .... so I thought I'd ask what is probably a dumb question ....

Anyhow, I hope your New Year is lovely and full of hope for what is to come!

xoxo, Kimmie

Yvonne said...

We don't drink eggnog but this recipe sounds pretty good, so maybe I will try it. No more TonT for you? Will miss those posts, but will be sticking around for others. Always enjoy having tea with you or anything else. Happy New Year to you and yours.

Yvonne said...

Whew! So happy you emailed me and let me know you are NOT leaving Tea on Tuesday. I just read it wrong, thank goodness. :) I really enjoy your posts and the comments you leave on my blog. I think I will go have a celebration cup of tea now, thank you. LOL WhooHoo! :)

Julia Dunnit said...

I misread that too - thought you may be cutting back on some of your regulars and that made me panic!! Great, am calm again. I cannot honeslty say that I could bring myself to drink egg nog..it may be the raw egg thing (and I'm not usually phased by raw or come to that, any sort of food instruction/ingredient)..I think it may be the texture. Or maybe....perhaps I would be the visitor who has to rummage in your cupboard for the accompanying bourbon!!

~*~Patty S said...

first of all Nathalie as a blog choice is brilliant and YAY to you for doing 365 inspirational blogs...it boggles the mind...I would say you've been there and done that...royally!!!
You MAKE your own eggnog...you are something else!
We are drinking SoyNog this year LOL
Your quiltlet is wonderful...the colors and image are so special!!!
Happy last Tea of 2010 to ya!
oxo

Marlynn said...

Elizabeth - I love yur quiltlet! I need to get into this since I really do love to quilt but haven't done it for a while. These smaller renditions look like a lot of fun! Thanks for showing us and glad you are not stopping your Tuesday Tea posts! This is how rumors get started E - and you started your own... : ) Hugs,

Unknown said...

Thank you for your glowing endorsement of me and my blog! Are you available for writing press releases and such? ;)

Love your quiltlet. Are those pattern models I see (my favorite kind of "clip art"!)

Halle said...

Oh yum! Homemade eggnog. I haven't had the real deal since I was a kid. My dad used to make it...of course I got the alcohol-free version. :)

Your quiltlet is adorable.

Steph said...

sorry I'm soo late....I'd love to try egg nog sometime....HAPPY HAPPY New Year!! E!!