I love to cook. I’ve lived all over the world. I am addicted to great, dairy egg nogs. (But I hate the low-quality dairy garbage.) The various home made egg nogs I’ve seen are often thin, frothy, and basically the anti-thesis of what I like. Another big flavor sensation for me is chai. In fact, I wonder if The Perfect Egg Nog (TPEN) might not fuse great egg nog and great chai qualities.
I’ve read a bunch on egg nog. I’ve read about aging concoctions of yolks, alcohols and sugar. I’ve read about bottled flavorings and ice cream bases. I’ve learned about Italian custards, antique English cocktails, French culinary techniques and Scandinavian dairy history. Of course I’ve read lots of online recipes. I know there are both common and rare ingredients needed. I know there are techniques that would make health department bureaucrats faint (like many of the greatest culinary techniques from around the world). There are also ingredients that would make a cardiologist run for the nearest exit. All of this is part and parcel to the potion-making I purpose to undertake, because what I don’t, yet, know is how to make TPEN safely, consistently and in my kitchen. That’s why I created this blog.
If you know something please share. If you want to join in the fun, let me know and I’ll add you as a blog contributor.
I think cooking is like origami in food–it’s part art and part science. It’s also very personal. I make no promises that what I love will work for you. But I can say that there is good reason to believe we can play, create, refine and extend the egg nog here beyond anything that exists out there!
About me…I’m a math and science teacher at a small private school in Montana. (Yes, we have cows here, and no, we don’t ride everywhere on horses of have bears in our garbage…well, not that much 😉 My engineering, math and chemistry background disposes me to approach recipe development (and cooking in general) like a science project. I take copious notes, run trials and do various tests, etc.. A lot of great cooking is more about timing and sequencing than ingredients. I think this is a good way to get what you want. I also love art, music and poetry. Thus, I am not opposed to just pulling off a one time wonder now and again. The only problem is when I so love a work of art that I want to replicate it.
Let the adventure begin!
Egg Nog Revolution 