Quick Christmas Eggnog

Hi everyone!

One of the drinks I like to serve for Christmas is this quick and easy eggnog. I think the balance of rum and eggnog is just right! In fact, it tastes just like a milkshake, so rich and creamy. I have never made eggnog from scratch, or had any other then store bought. I keep telling myself I will make some but then Christmas rolls around and it's just too easy to buy it!

I was curious as to how this drink became a holiday tradition though, and read a bit about it. It seems to have come across the pond in the 1700's. Here are a few links: Time , Mental floss, Alton Brown.

Enjoy!

Quick Eggnog

1 oz. Captain Morgan Original Spiced rum

5 oz. of your favorite eggnog

pinch of fresh nutmeg

Fruit Smoothie

Mmmmm...this really hit the spot today!

What a great snack, cool, fruity and delicious. Good for you,too!

Fruit Smoothie

1 c. pineapple juice

3 c. lowfat vanilla yogurt

1 c. sliced fresh strawberries

1 banana,sliced

1/2 c. pineapple chunks

3 Tbsp. honey

Blend and enjoy! {serves 6}

Continental Cocoa..Mondays with Mom

Nothing ever tasted better than mom's cocoa after cutting down our Christmas tree! Every year we all hopped in the car and went out to the Christmas tree farm to cut down a tree. It was so much fun trudging through the snow looking for that perfect tree! (Well, we had a perfect tree all except one year when my sister picked it out...but that's another story! It may not have been the perfect tree, but the memories made that day were! haha)

When we got home, Dad would put the tree up and get the lights on so us kids could decorate it. Mom would head to the kitchen and make us some cocoa and popcorn.

I love those memories!

While Brent and I did not cut our own tree this year, we did have a real tree. Today we took it down,though. I'm always sad to see it go....

BUT I did make mom's cocoa!

AND it was as good as always!

Continental Cocoa

2 c. milk

2 Tbsp. cocoa

3 Tbsp. sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 c. hot water

Mix the cocoa, sugar and salt in a sauce pan. Add the hot water and bring to a boil. Boil 2 minutes. Stir constantly. Add the milk .....heat but do not boil. Serve.

Caramel Apple Cider

This is described as "liquid apple pie." That caught my eye!

All I can say is"WOW!"

This stuff is good.

But then anything with cream in it is, I guess. It's so rich and decadent. I  think it tastes more like a liquid caramel apple. I made just one glass to test it out before I serve it to guests, and I know everyone will really like this!



Caramel Apple Cider
(southern living)

1/3 c. packed brown sugar
1/3 c. heavy whipped cream
1 tsp. vanilla
4 c. apple cider

Mix the cream and brown sugar together and heat until bubbly in a sauce pan. Add the cider and vanilla and cook until heated through. Garnish.

Anne Burrell's Hot Chocolate

 I was reading my Food Network magazine, The Chocolate issue, and saw this recipe for hot chocolate. It sounded so good, I decided I needed to whip it up right away. The article was comparing Bobby Flays recipe to Anne's, and while his looked good too, I had most of the ingredients on hand to try Anne's.

Mine is not as thick or as rich as Anne's, but nonetheless, warm, chocolaty and delicious! (I didn't have whole milk, so I used 1%.}

 It really hit the spot. Next time I'll try Bobby's recipe,too!

Anne Burrell's Hot Chocolate

3 c. whole milk

1 c. evaporated milk

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 c. sugar

2 Tbs. cornstarch

pinch of cinnamon

CIn a saucepan, combine the milk, evap milk and vanilla. Warm on low heat. Add the cocoa powder, sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Whisk until it comes to a boil, remove and serve.

Apple Cider Float

This is a refreshing, creamy fall beverage...perfect for serving over Thanksgiving vacation.  I think this will taste great with the snow capped molasses cookies I made and froze last week. I'll be posting that recipe next week on Mondays with Mom. I loved her molasses cookies! Check back for the recipe.....

Apple Cider Float

Apple Cider
ice cream
nutmeg

Scoop some ice cream in a cup, add apple cider, and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Hot Chocolate Recipe

It's been SO cold the last few days! Fall is here and the weather is proof. I can't seem to get warm, so I made some hot chocolate. I love this stuff!

Hot Chocolate

1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. baking cocoa
1/8 tsp. salt
4 c. milk
1/3 c. water
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. almond extract

In a saucepan, mix the sugar, cocoa, and salt. Add the milk and water. Cook over medium heat until heated through and add the extracts. Stir and serve!

Lemon Honeyade Recipe

I was SO hot and SO thirsty. The weather was SO muggy and sticky. I needed something cold. And tasty.

I had just been reading my Southern Living Homestyle Cooking book the night before and remembered an easy recipe for a quick glass of lemonade. Luckily I just happened to have fresh lemons on hand for some recipes I was going to try.

It really hit the spot. AND...it's pretty good for you too!

Lemon Honeyade
{Southern Living}

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 c. water
1-3 Tbsp. honey
Mix and serve over ice.