Yule
December 21st
Jack Frost was in the garden,
I saw him there at dawn.
He was dancing round the bushes
And prancing on the lawn.
he had a cloak of silver,
A hat all shimm'ring white,
A wand of glittering stardust, And shoes of sunbeam light.
---J.Smeeton
Egg Nog
8 egg yolks 1 cup sugar
4 cups milk 3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 brandy 1/3 cup rum
Nutmeg to taste
In a bowl, beat the egg yolks, adding sugar a little at a time. slowly add milk which has been warmed to just under the boiling point. Return the entire mixture to a saucepan and continue to cook until reaches 175 degrees on a candy thermometer. Pour into a bowl and chill.
Whip your heavy cream until peaks. Fold this into the cool milk mixture until it is well incorporated, then put it into the freezer until it just begins to harden. Finally add the brandy and rum, stirring well, whip for another 30 seconds. Top with nutmeg.
If you prefer a non-alcoholic drink, you may substitute 1/2 cup of fruit juice for the rum and brandy. Pineapple is refreshing, as is apple and orange. If you prefer a more classic warm egg nog, simply beat the eggs with the rest of the ingredients and warm them together over low flames.
Sugar Cookies with Anise frosting
2 cups flour 1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup butter 1 cup sugar 1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla 1 tablesppon cream
1 teaspoon orange extract
Sift together all dry ingredients except sugar. Cream your butter until soft, then beat in eggs, sugar extracts and cream. Stir in flour mixture until your dough becomes stiff enough to rool. Place this in the refrigerator overnight.
The next day, roll out your dough on a lighty floured board to about 1/8 thickness and cut into desire shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 8 - 10 minutes in a 375 degrees oven.
The anise frosting can be made simply by mixing a litle confectionery sugar, anise flavoring and milk until a thick glaze is formed. Add a little food coloring or sprinkles for speacil flare. Be sure cookies are completely cooled before applying frosting.
