The lovely people of Book World sent me a copy of Maggie’s Christmas to have a little look at. They are also offering one lucky Belly Rumbles reader a $100 book bundle. Ho Ho Ho, it really must be Christmas.
I am a big fan of Maggie Beer, have been for years. I love her approach to food and produce in general, and find that her recipes are easy to follow, generally easy to make and for me, have a no fail rate.
Her latest cookbook, Maggie’s Christmas, is pure Maggie. Filled with personal stories about the recipes, Christmas living in the Barossa, holiday and New Year recipes.
Many of the recipes in the cookbook caught my eye. Two I will be making myself for our Christmas day family lunch; White Gazpacho with Blue Swimmer Crab & Walnut Flatbread.
The gazpacho is packed full of flavor with the use of lemon juice, verjuice and sultanas. Served chilled, I thought that they would make a great addition to my spicy crab shots I made for Christmas last year. The Walnut Flat Bread seems very easy to make and will accompany an simple cheese plate, lifting it into something quite special.
Obviously I wanted to make a recipe to share with you, I chose simple eggnog. I’ve never made eggnog before, even though it has been something on the ‘to make’ list (longer than Santa’s nice list) for many years. You can serve Maggie’s recipe hot or cold. Due to the warm Sydney climate at present, I chose ice cold.
Be warned this eggnog is not for kids. The 1/3c of brandy in this recipe packs a punch. A tasty tasty brandy punch! Obviously you can leave it out, but really would you want to?
The eggnog is rich and creamy and I suggest serving it over ice. This is the perfect tipple to make wrapping the kid’s presents on Christmas Eve that slightly more enjoyable. Then again dear reader, you are probably more organized than I am.
Ingredients
- 8 free range egg yolks
- 125 grams caster sugar
- 2 cups 300ml milk
- Ice cubes
- 2 cups 300ml chilled double cream
- 1/3 cup 80ml brandy
- Grated or ground nutmeg - to taste
Instructions
- Whisk the egg yolks and caster sugar together in a bowl until pale and thick. Warm the milk in a saucepan over low heat until just hot, then slowly whisk into the egg yolk mixture in a slow, steady stream, whisking continuously.5
- Pour the egg yolk mixture into the pan. Return the pan to a very low heat and cook stirring continuously with a wooden spoon, for 3 minutes or until the mixture coast the back of the spoon. Do not let it simmer or it may curdle. (Be careful not to overcook the egg or it will scramble; have a bowl of ice alongside the stove in case you need to quickly cool the mixture down.) Immediately pour the eggnog through a coarse-mesh strainer into a heatproof bowl. Stir in the cream, and then stir in the brandy. Pour into a serving jug and serve warm or chilled. Add nutmeg to taste.
Nutrition
Maggie’s Christmas Competition is Now Closed: As mentioned Book World are giving one lucky Belly Rumble’s reader the chance to win a $100 book bundle which will include Maggie’s Christmas.
Entries are open to Australian residents only, you can enter as many times as you like. Entries close 11.59pm Friday 20th December. Good luck!
Sara xxx
Sue R
Darn I missed out 🙁 I had close to 200 emails to get though! Merry Christmas anyhow.
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Happy New Year lovely 🙂 Damn really wished I saw this post and maybe I would’ve had the chance to win the voucher hehe I’m a fan of Maggie Beer too! The eggnog looks and sounds awesome will need to save it and use it for Xmas this year! OMG it really is 2014 🙂
Cass @foodmyfriend
Mine has to be eggnog too. My boyfriend makes it and this year he had to buy a bowl and whisk in Queensland so we could make it in our hotel room on christmas day. haha!
Gareth
Happy New Year Sara,
Love the photos, what camera and lighting are you using? So crisp and great styling too. Mmmm eggnog, I reckon this could make a good ice cream too.
G
Iron Chef Shellie
Happy New Year!!
Looks great! I don’t think I’ve ever had eggnog. I think it’s mainly the “egg”-ness as I have never been a huge egg fan, but it’s slowly changing! x
Tracey M
My mum always used to make a yummy summer punch for Christmas – especially nice for a hot summer Christmas! I am putting the pressure on my chooks tomorrow though for some more eggs… I want to try eggnog!
Liz @ I Spy Plum Pie
I’ve never made eggnog before, but this looks delicious! I’m a fan of champagne at breakfast on Christmas day, and a fruity punch for Christmas drinks prior to Christmas. I’d never turn down a cocktail though!
Kim m
I love fruit punch with ginger ale, juice, ice, floting strawberries and whatever else we have on ahnd, delicious and very summery.
Jacq
Mmm I made eggnog a couple of years ago and was surprised at how much I liked it, though I don’t think I had as much brandy in mine! One of my favourite Christmas drinks (maybe more of a Christmas in July drink here…) is mulled wine, love that it’s packed full of spices and it definitely warms you up!
Ross S
I’m rather partial to mulled wine – but only if consumed apres ski in Canada or Europe.
Mary @ beyondjelly
I’m an eggnog girl… Made the mistake of making it one year, and my family now expect it every year in industrial quantities. 🙂
Benjamin Travia
A special Swedish soft drink called ‘Dryck Julmust’ which is spicy, tasty and sweet. I once bought a bottle from IKEA in December and fell in love with it. Tantalisingly Christmassy.
Mel
When in Australia a really great cold rose. If somewhere cold then nothing’s beats a mulled wine! I made eggnog for Xmas in July for the first time- it was a big hit and really tasty. I made too much and turned the rest into icecream!
cat
I’ve only ever had the store bought kind but Maggie Beer’s sound delicious. Might give it a try 😀
Bron
although I do love a glass of eggnog, my favourite Christmas drink is a glass of good champers!
Grace
I’ve always been a little daunted by the idea of drinking raw eggs but I think the addition of brandy might make it easier to swallow..
Helen (Grab Your Fork)
This sounds like the perfect partner recipe to the xmas pav to use up all those leftover egg yolks!
nags
the only kind i have tasted is with raw eggs and that generally puts me off. i like the gently simmering mentioned here. so christmassy!
Claire
Mine is egg nog. I did attempt it one year without success. And we have family friends who make a very potent batch each year. I normally buy a carton from the supermarket.
Monique
I looove white wine sangria! It’s so refreshing and light and doesn’t feel so filling when there’s vast quantities of food to eat!
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I’ve not really been a fan of eggnog, but I’m sure Maggie’s would taste gorgeous. My favourite christmas drink is a bottle of sticky wine with a cheese place and duck liver pate!
Muppy
I’ve never made eggnog either, always intrigued when watching Christmas movies and they have it, sounds wonderful actually, drinking custard!
I have to say my fave Chrissy drink is punch, love a classic version, lots of memories.