Vanilla Egg Nog

This egg nog contains some unconventional flavors (for egg nog) like vanilla, grains of paradise and a touch of salt but is nothing short of delicious and slightly complex. Consume with friends for a heart warming holiday experience!

Ingredients

• 2 cups

  whole milk

• 1 cup

  heavy cream

• 1/4

  vanilla bean, split lengthwise

• 4

  egg yolks

• 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon

  sugar

• 3 ounces

  bourbon

• 1 teaspoon

  freshly grated nutmeg+ extra for topping, if desired

• 1/4 teaspoon

  ground cloves

• 1/8 teaspoon

  crushed grains of paradise (optional)

• 1/8 teaspoon

  fleur de sel salt

• 4

  egg whites (reserved in refrigerator)

• Whipped cream for topping (optional)

• 6

  cinnamon sticks for topping (optional)

Directions

In a medium sized pot combine milk and cream. Scrape vanilla bean seeds into pot and add outer pod as well. Add 1 teaspoon nutmeg, cloves, grains of paradise and salt. Whisk until combined.

Bring mixture to a boil on medium heat, stirring occasionally.

While milk mixture is cooking, beat egg yolks until they form a lighter color and slowly add 1/3 cup of sugar, beating until the sugar dissolves.

Temper the milk mixture into the egg mixture by adding a small amount of the milk mixture to the egg mixture, while rapidly beating the egg mixture.

Add the egg-milk mixture to the pot, whisking rapidly. Return pot to heat, bring to a simmer on medium high heat.

Remove mixture from heat and add bourbon.

Place mixture in a heatproof container, cover, and chill in refrigerator for 6-8 hours.

When ready to consume egg nog, whip egg whites on high speed using a mixer or very rapidly by hand, gradually adding 1 tablespoon of sugar, until whites reach a stiff peak.

Remove vanilla pod from egg nog mixture and gently whisk whites with mixture. Serve with whipped cream and freshly grated nutmeg and a cinnamon stick if desired.