Monday, December 19, 2011

Life This Week: December 19, 1938

Eggnog

1 egg, separated
1 1/2 tablespoons turbinado or demerara sugar
1/3 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons bourbon whiskey
2 tablespoons brandy
nutmeg

You'll need two mixing bowls, one for the egg yolk and one for the egg white. In the bowl with the egg yolk, add the sugar and beat until yolk becomes thick and pale. Beat in the cream, milk, whiskey and brandy. Chill.

In the second mixing bowl, beat the egg white until firm peaks form. Fold the egg white into the chilled mixture in the other mixing bowl. Chill the entire concoction for a few hours.

To serve, divide between two punch cups and grate nutmeg over the top. Enjoy!

Serves 2, but can easily be doubled, tripled, etc.

Adapted from "Eggnog" in Letha Booth, The Williamsburg Cookbook (Williamsburg: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 1975),162-163.


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This is the first time I've ever made eggnog. It wasn't that difficult and the payoff is enormous. If I do say so myself, my eggnog is one of the yummiest things I've tasted. There will be eggnog every holiday season from now on!

I was inspired to have a go at eggnog-making, because of the ad below. Don't you just love the sideboard? And the wallpaper? It's fantastic!


On page sixty of this issue, Life writes, "Joan Bennett, blonde screen star, makes her debut as a brunette, Jan. 5, in the new film Trade Winds." She never looked back!

I got the chance to see Trade Winds earlier this year when it was on TCM. I like Joan Bennett and Fredric March, so I was definitely going to watch it! Fredric March plays a private detective who sails halfway around the world to track down a murder suspect, played by Joan Bennett. It's pretty entertaining, if a bit contrived.

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21 comments:

  1. Never heard of this movie! I'll be on the look-out for it. I didn't know Joan Bennett was originally a blond. Go figure. She looks so much like a brunette sort. Maybe it's just that we're used to her in dark locks. :)

    I love eggnog too. But mine comes from a container at the Super Market. :)

    Must try and make some, one of these days...

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  2. @Yvette
    Making eggnog at home is totally worth the effort. It's like earthly ambrosia.

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  3. Wonderful, home-made eggnog is just divine and the recipe looks perfect!

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  4. I adore eggnog but have not had it for years. I like the gingerbread house on your sideboard too - so cute!

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  5. Eggnog ooh - sometimes I like the idea of it, sometimes not, never made it from scratch though. I am sure its better than those storebought ones :)

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  6. I bookmarked this for future reference, I still have some egg nog in the fridge for now, though.

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  7. Love the ad! Do you remember when you were little and we were at Guyton's New Year's party and I accidently threw the silver cup (after drinking the eggnog) in the floor? His eggnog was super strong...

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  8. @Lori
    I don't remember that particular incident, but I do remember a couple of old ladies (in their fur coats) steering me toward the "undoctored" eggnog! This eggnog is the same texture I remember Guyton's being. I don't know about the taste, because I never had his "doctored" version!

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  9. Wish I could taste it Lauren, it looks delicious! Hope your visit to the dentist pays off, too! happy Holidays!!

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  10. I own the Colonial Williamsburg Cookbook as well. I haven't tried to make anything from it yet. Have you been to Colonial Williamsburg?

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  11. @yinzerella
    We went in 1994, but I bought the cookbook at a used bookstore here in Wichita. This is the third recipe I've tried from it. So far, so good!

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  12. Mmmmm! I haven't had eggnog in years, but remember well the flavor (a bit of nutmeg and a touch of rum) from my childhood. (Yes, we were allowed to have the boozy version.) Does this come out much thicker than the storebought stuff?

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  13. So *that's* what eggnog is! I had a vague idea but never really knew.

    I'm a huge Joan Bennett fan but have never seen the film - another one you have added to my to-watch list, thanks!

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  14. @Karen/Small Earth Vintage
    Much thicker! It tends to separate, though, so it has to be kept as cold as possible.

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  15. oh i have never tried eggnog it looks yummy, and i adore brunette joan! x

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  16. I so enjoy visiting you here at your beautiful blog! Another lovely recipe and movie. I loooove egg nog. Oh, it is so good!

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  17. I am really enjoying your holiday posts. And I am inspired now to make my own eggnog. It looks so good! Thanks for taking us back to some charming magazine spreads and old movies. Have a wonderful Christmas!

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  18. Yay for homemade eggnog! The tear sheet with the recipe is fabulous.

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  19. vegan eggnog is the BEST by Silk... ever tried it? I die! I want to drink it all year round!! <3

    love, polly :)

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  20. @Polly Bland
    Unfortunately, I can't eat any unfermented soy products, so I'll have to take your word for it!

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  21. Wonderful, home-made eggnog is just divine and the recipe looks perfect!

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