I love to search through old out of print recipe books and when I find the eggnog recipes our forefahers used I am doubly delighted! When I use recipes that the cooks developed in the late 1700's, 1800's and even then early 1900's I feel like I am part of a long line of cooks who wanted to feed their family and friends great food.
Eggnog recipes came over with the first European settlers. In England and other parts of Europe eggnog was the drink of the aristocrats, very seldom could the poor afford the rich ingredients. However, when the cooks emigrated to America they found that the ingredients were more available and they produced eggnog for holiday feasts. As people spread across the continent the recipes were adapted to available supplies and the individual tastes of the area. The creativeness of those early settlers gives us a bounty of great recipes.
It is fun to imagine President Lincoln being served an eggnog that Mrs. Lincoln had prepared for him. Or take a historic glance at how the southern Creole cooks prepared it for a party, and know that we can recreate these very foods for our guests and family.
Most of the old recipes used uncooked eggnog and alcohol of one sort or another. Therefore, in todays cooking we should remember that pregnant women and children should not be served these drinks because they are more susceptable to salmonella poisoning. There has been some scientific studies on the effects of alcohol reducing the salmonella bacteria in eggnog, but I would still be very cautious. So, explore and enjoy the richness of eggnog!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Old Eggnog Recipes
Exploring all of the possibilities about eggnog is one of my favorite joys. This dovetails into another of my favorites which is old books. Researching through ancient books in the dusty corner of shops sometimes reveals the delightful find of an out of date cookbook. Imagine my surprise when I found that this one was the recipe collection of Mrs. Lincoln!
I am fairly positive that a Presidents wife will not be in my kitches, but her recipes are welcome. Looking at how our ancestors used the ingredients at hand to benefit their families is an instructional glance at history. What was she thinking when she made her eggnog? Did she make it to help the President get needed nurishment during a busy day or was it a late night treat for the tired man?
Eggnog recipes are one way to look at our past. The food our ancestors ate made it possible for them to continue doing all of the important things in their lives. The eggnog recipes show us how they used the same ingredients that we have available to us today but sometimes in unusual ways. Thank you Mrs. Lincoln for letting me find your eggnog recipe!
I am fairly positive that a Presidents wife will not be in my kitches, but her recipes are welcome. Looking at how our ancestors used the ingredients at hand to benefit their families is an instructional glance at history. What was she thinking when she made her eggnog? Did she make it to help the President get needed nurishment during a busy day or was it a late night treat for the tired man?
Eggnog recipes are one way to look at our past. The food our ancestors ate made it possible for them to continue doing all of the important things in their lives. The eggnog recipes show us how they used the same ingredients that we have available to us today but sometimes in unusual ways. Thank you Mrs. Lincoln for letting me find your eggnog recipe!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Eggnog Smoothies
On mornings when I am in a rush or just need something that is refreshing but filling I fix myself and my family an eggnog smoothie. With the recent reports on vitamin pills possibly being unhealthy and our desire to lead an additive reduced lifestyle eggnog smoothie are a nutrious and easy addition to our diets.
Most of the foods we consume on a regular basis are filled with preservatives and other added chemicals. While these keep the food from spoiling on its way to our tables I am concerned with the possibility that they may be harmful to our long term survival. We are being encouraged by the news media to eat more organic foods and cut down on our exposure to these chemicals. Many of these foods added sodium to entice our taste buds raising our over use of salt. It is difficult to control our contact with these chemicals if we eat boxed or ready made meals. Homemade eggnog is additive free.
Eggs and milk are two of the most inexpensive ways to add nutritional value to our lives. In the current economic crisis we are all looking for ways to trim our budgets. Fast food dollar menus may seem to be a great buy and they definitely speed up our mornings, but they are loaded with useless calories that are helping to drive us to an overweight epidemic. The sodium levels in most fast foods far exceeds the recommended daily allowance which in turn is increasing our likely hood of an early death by heart atack or stroke.
Homemade eggnog is quick and easy to make. In just a few minutes a couple of times a week you can create eggnog and keep it in your refrigerator to be available for use whenever you need it. You can control the calorie content by the judicious use of low fat milk and alternating the sugar with other natural sweetners. With the addition of berries or a banana you boost the nutrional value and the rich creamy taste will leave you full and satisfied. Cheers to a healthier life style!
Most of the foods we consume on a regular basis are filled with preservatives and other added chemicals. While these keep the food from spoiling on its way to our tables I am concerned with the possibility that they may be harmful to our long term survival. We are being encouraged by the news media to eat more organic foods and cut down on our exposure to these chemicals. Many of these foods added sodium to entice our taste buds raising our over use of salt. It is difficult to control our contact with these chemicals if we eat boxed or ready made meals. Homemade eggnog is additive free.
Eggs and milk are two of the most inexpensive ways to add nutritional value to our lives. In the current economic crisis we are all looking for ways to trim our budgets. Fast food dollar menus may seem to be a great buy and they definitely speed up our mornings, but they are loaded with useless calories that are helping to drive us to an overweight epidemic. The sodium levels in most fast foods far exceeds the recommended daily allowance which in turn is increasing our likely hood of an early death by heart atack or stroke.
Homemade eggnog is quick and easy to make. In just a few minutes a couple of times a week you can create eggnog and keep it in your refrigerator to be available for use whenever you need it. You can control the calorie content by the judicious use of low fat milk and alternating the sugar with other natural sweetners. With the addition of berries or a banana you boost the nutrional value and the rich creamy taste will leave you full and satisfied. Cheers to a healthier life style!
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