12.14.2010

Martha's Chocolate Eggnog

I am a huge fan of eggnog - not eggnog flavoring, nor eggnog ice-cream, nor eggnog coffee (Starbucks has a version) - but pure, honest-to-goodness eggnog. Even better if it's homemade! Going through my recipe box last night, I came across a folded magazine tear sheet that intrigued me. (I do sometimes harm my magazines, but it's not something I make a habit of.) The page was from an issue of Martha Stewart Living. When I unfolded it, I was reminded immediately of why I had torn it out in earnest in the first place. It was a recipe for Martha's spiced chocolate eggnog, which blends two kinds of chocolates with vanilla, cinnamon and cayenne for a surprising and delicious alternative to the traditional holiday standby. Below is the recipe to try this season.
MARTHA'S SPICED CHOCOLATE EGGNOG:

2 quarts whole milk, plus more if needed
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon of coarse salt
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped and pod reserved
4 cinnamon sticks
12 egg yolks
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
3 ounces milk chocolate, melted
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/4 cups of brandy (optional)
Whole nutmeg for garnish
Cayenne pepper for sprinkling

1. Heat 2 quarts of milk, the sugar, salt, vanilla seeds and pod, and cinnamon sticks in a large pot over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves and the mixture is heated through. Remove from heat. Let stand for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare an ice-water bath. Whisk yolks in a medium bowl until pale, about two minutes. Whisk one cup of milk mixture into yolks in a slow, steady stream. Whisk yolk mixture into remaining milk mixture. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture registers 180 on an instant-read thermometer, about six minutes. (Do not boil.)

3. Remove pot from heat, add melted bittersweet and milk chocolates, and stir until incorporated. Discard vanilla pod and cinnamon sticks. Pour mixture into a large bowl set in an ice water bath, let cool, stirring often.

4. Whisk heavy cream until soft peaks form. Pour the cooled eggnog into a large serving bowl. Add brandy if desired. (Add more milk if necessary in order to reach desired consistency.) Top with whipped cream. Grate nutmeg over top and sprinkle sparingly with cayenne. Serve immediately.

2 comments:

David Bondarchuck said...

Andrew
This is the best recipe I have for Eggnog, Martha's Traditional Recipe from Entertaining can be a bit strong, but this is a amazing! A couple years ago I made this for a Christmas Party, and hosted over 75 guests here at my home.
Warning: This recipe yields a huge batch!
In fact I made this recipe twice, one of the worst kitchen disasters of my life happened when I attempted this the first time...
Below is the menu I prepared and served to 75 guests, so as you can imagine I went sleepless for nearly 3 days, at the point where you add the melted chocolate to the eggnog base I decided to use a rubber scrapper to make sure i utilized all the melted chocolate, however, due to being tired and well it was 4 something in the Am, I know so Martha! I accidentally dropped the bowl into the eggnog base and hence a huge splash of eggnog went everywhere!
Ceiling, Check!
Floor, Check!
Me, Check!
you get the point! The mess was unbelievable!
So after a crying fit, on the kitchen floor curled up in a fetal position I began to clean and clean and clean, by 7am you would have never known that old faithful wen off right here in this very kitchen!

My novela has gone on long enough! Happy Holidays! I hope you got my card and CD!

David in Denver

Oh Yeah... Heres the menu I prepared...


Pastry Straws
Cream Puffs
Christmas Cookie Buffet

Candied Nuts, Spiced Nuts
Chocolate Fountain

Chicken Skewers with Pineapple Dipping Sauce
Bite-Sized Cheeseburgers with the Works
Chipotle Meatballs with Fresh Lime Wedges
Petit Croque Monsieur

Vietnamese Wraps, with Peanut Dipping Sauce
Veggie Crudite

Spiced Chocolate Eggnog with Cinnamon and Sugar Churros
White Wine Spritzers with Fresh Cranberries
Whiskey Sours with Oven-Dried Orange Slices

ANDREW RITCHIE said...

Wow, David! You certainly were ambitious! (Haven't received your card yet, but how nice of you to send me one!) Happy Holidays to you and yours! And CHEERS! :-)