Eggless Egg Nog

Nothing like some good Egg Nog to bring in the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. The younger generation may not get (or like) this , but some of us seasoned folks understand the love for this drink. Egg Nog. along with the smells of winter, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking goods and turkey; all usher in the Season for Merriment and Celebration. 

As I have gotten older, I realized that lactose intolerance can inhibit my drinking of this fine beverage. I also find that raw egg kinda disagrees with me. This recipe is a great alternative! I substitute the whole milk for lactose free milk. 

 

 Am I happy? Yep!!    I think you will be too:)

Ingredients:

 

5 cups 2% or whole milk
1 3.4oz. pkg. Vanilla instant pudding mix
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsp. Rum Extract
1/4 tsp. each of ground nutmeg, allspice, ginger

Directions:

 

Start with cold  milk and put about half of it, along with all other ingredients in blender and blend very well at medium to high speed.  Pour into serving pitcher and add remaining milk and stir well. Refrigerate at least 1-1/2 hours.

Stir before serving

Jolly Wassail Bowl (English Holiday Punch)

The Wassail bowl was a Christmas must in English homes. Carolers visited door-to-door, exchanging songs for a mug of the steaming brew.

“Wassail” is Anglo-Saxon for “Be of good health” and the word finally cam to mean the drink itself. The toast floating on the surface of the punch gave rise to the expression “to drink a toast”.

There are many versions of the recipe, but most of them are usually a base of mulled wine or cider.

2 qts. apple cider
4 cups orange juice
½ cup honey
2 tbsp. Lemon juice
4 sticks cinnamon
2 tbsp. whole cloves
2 tbsp. Allspice
½ tsp. Grated nutmeg

In a Dutch oven or large kettle combine all ingredients. Cook over medium heat until hot. Simmer for 10 minutes. Strain out spices before serving. Makes about 22 (4 oz) servings.

Pumpkin Pie Nog

1 cup canned pumpkin
2 cups crushed ice
1 cup plain yogurt
2 cups orange juice
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup chopped pecans
½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
6 thin orange slices for garnish

In a blender, combine all ingredients except garnish. Blend until smooth. Pour into mugs. Place an orange slice on each mug rim. Serves 6