It’s National Eggnog Month
Instead of bells, phones will be ringing at Kolb’s Farm Store in Spring City this holiday season as callers request a 43-year favorite: homemade eggnog.
“Our customers freak out over it. We start getting phone calls two weeks before we start making it,” said Sally Kolb, whose fatherin-law “opened the store in 1975.”
A far cry from mass-market versions, think of it as “going back to the real eggnog.”
“We use our milk and cream in it,” she explained. “It is basically like ice cream that’s melted. I have no idea the calorie count. I don’t worry about that.”
At Merrymead Farm near Lansdale, John Carr and his family actually sell eggnog ice cream and, of course, eggnog itself – the “natural, old fashioned-type,” also starring their herd’s milk and cream.
“I believe they’ve been making the eggnog since the bag-milk era, way back in the day,” he said. “I think it’s hard to find an eggnog as rich and creamy as ours.”
Hosting a party? Impress guests with something new like eggnog bread pudding, or offer a mix of nog and local spirits.
Northbound in Souderton shared the recipe for Brown Cow Eggnog, spiked with its own spiced rum and brown butter-infused bourbon.
Another festive add-in: Nocino from Boardroom Spirits in Lansdale.
“It’s a traditional Italian liqueur that we make from green walnuts,” described James Cleland, tasting room manager. “The finished product tastes like Christmas in a glass.”
And if you still crave eggnog post holidays, mark your calendar to “get your fix,” Kolb said. As a “last hurrah,” both farms offer it again around Easter.
Brown Cow Eggnog
INGREDIENTS 1 1⁄2 ounces brown butter-infused Northbound bourbon
1⁄2 ounce Northbound spiced rum 1⁄2 ounce cacao-infused simple syrup
1 ounce heavy cream
1 whole egg
Shaved chocolate INSTRUCTIONS Combine all ingredients (except chocolate) in a shaker. Add three ice cubes shake until dissolved. Strain and top with shaved chocolate. RECIPE COURTESY OF NORTHBOUND
Nocino Eggnog
INGREDIENTS 3 ounces eggnog 1 1⁄2 ounces Nocino INSTRUCTIONS Combine eggnog and Nocino in a glass filled with ice and stir. Top
with cinnamon or nutmeg and enjoy! RECIPE COURTESY OF BOARDROOM SPIRITS
Health(ier) Eggnog
Try this healthier twist on a classic holiday cocktail - eggnog! INGREDIENTS 2 cups Skim Plus milk
1⁄2 teaspoons cinnamon
1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg, plus more for garnish
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 egg yolks
1⁄3 cup sugar
1⁄4 cup vanilla yogurt INSTRUCTIONS Combine milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla in a small saucepan over low heat. Slowly bring mixture to a low boil. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk egg yolks with sugar until yolks are pale in color. Slowly add hot milk mixture to egg yolks in batches to temper (a cooking technique
in which the temperature of a cold/room-temperature ingredient is slowly raised by adding small amounts of hot/boiling liquid) the eggs and whisk until combined. Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium heat until slightly thick (and coats the back of a spoon) but does not boil. Using a candy thermometer, mixture should reach 160 degrees. Remove from heat and whisk in yogurt. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve with a dash of nutmeg. RECIPE COURTESY OF REGISTERED DIETITIAN LACHELL MILLER, AMERICAN DAIRY ASSOCIATION NORTH EAST
Eggnog Bread Pudding
INGREDIENTS 2 cups light eggnog
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 slices raisin bread cut into 1-inch slices Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with vegetable cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine eggnog, sugar, eggs, nutmeg and vanilla. Blend until smooth. Fold in bread cubes. Pour into prepared dish. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until knife inserted comes out clean. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream or milk. Makes 8 servings. RECIPE COURTESY OF H.P. HOOD AND AMERICAN DAIRY ASSOCIATION NORTH EAST
Survey says!
Pennsylvanians love eggnog, calling it their “favorite holiday treat.” That’s according to a new survey by Offers.com. Nationwide, pumpkin pie topped the list with 33 percent of the vote, followed by eggnog with 18 percent.
Other faves: peppermint bark, gingerbread, fruitcake (no kidding!) and candy canes.