I refuse to start Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving, regardless of how many decorations merchants put up or how early they start piping in Christmas music. But now it’s time. So below is my eggnog recipe, plus my recipe for post-Thanksgiving leftovers shepherd’s pie, a tradition at my house. And, why not, I’ll throw in my family’s traditional recipe for Tom & Jerry batter.
Over the river and up the freeway, #1 Son and I traveled to B’s & K’s house. Thanksgiving was great fun. B & K put together an awesome evening. It was a smallish, rather quiet group this year. But the company was pleasant, as always, and the food was yummy, as always. K was very brave this year and used paper plates and plastic ware. You GO K! I think that was one of the best ideas I’ve seen for a long time. Who wants to hand-wash all that china and stuff, not to mention ironing all the linen?
Well… OK, some people do. I like to drag my “good” stuff out every now and then, because I don’t get to very often any more. All the same, I thought there was nothing wrong with paper plates. They had turkeys on them, fergodsake, so they were very seasonal. 😆
#1 Son always feels as though it’s not a successful large gathering unless there is at least one crisis. Last year the boyfriend of the younger B & K daughter was supposed to bring the rolls. He found them in the trunk of his car after the meal was over. But we all gave him credit for trying.
This year the rolls were in attendence, but needed warming. So B placed them in a paper bag and popped them in the oven — the time-tested, traditional method of warming rolls.
But the bag accidentally touched the burner and caught fire.
So there was a bit of excitement for a few minutes while B threw the bags in the sink and eldest B & K daughter attempted to douse the still-burning bag, part of it in the sink and part fallen to the floor. For some reason she grabbed salt instead of soda to smother the fire. Salt doesn’t really work the same way… But eventually the fire was extinguised. Most of the rolls made it through the ordeal unscathed (and unheated).
#1 Son missed the whole thing. “There hasn’t been a crisis,” he said, disappointed, during dinner. He was even more disappointed when we told him about The Incident Of The Burning Bag. But he agreed that the evening was, therefore, a rousing success.
But when the evening was complete and left-overs were being divvied up, a new small crisis presented itself. “Where’s the paper bag I brought the sweet potato casserole dish in?” I asked B, while searching vainly through the kitchen. “I want to pack my loot in it.”
His reply: “It’s the one that burned.”
Oh. Oops! But another bag was found, and, loot in hand, #1 Son and I traveled back down the freeway and across the river and home. This year I will be the only one indulging in post-Thanksgiving shepherd’s pie, being the only two-legged household carnivore (the cats do not get my turkey!). So it will be a small batch, but one greatly enjoyed!
Click the link below for the recipes.
Eggnog
1 egg, beaten
1 C milk (can be made with any kind, use 1/2 & 1/2 for thick nog)
2 tsp honey
1/1 tsp vanilla
1 jigger other flavoring of choice (rum, whiskey, scotch is best — can be omitted if necessary)
Combine all ingredients and stir until blended. Enjoy!
Tom & Jerry Batter
This recipe comes down to me from my great grandmother. It’s been updated through the years (I don’t think she had an electric mixer, but my grandmother did). Traditionally the batter was started early on Christmas morning and left to beat in the mixer all day to be served right before dinner. The theory was, the longer the batter is beaten the less chance that the eggs will separate later. If you aren’t comfortable doing that (and these days we know better than to leave eggs at room temperature for 6 or 8 hours — it’s a wonder none of us got sick), the batter can be rebeaten if it separates in the fridge and it will taste fine.
12 eggs
1 lb powdered confectioner’s sugar
Divide eggs. Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form. Set aside. Beat egg yolks until golden yellow. Fold in egg whites. Slowly add in confectioners sugar until well mixed. Beat in electric mixer on low speed for a long, long, time (see note above — probably a minimum of 15 minutes or so).
To server, pour one or two tablespoons of batter into a cup. Add a jigger of favorite flavoring (rum, whiskey, scotch, can be omitted for a “Tom” without the “Jerry”). While stirring rapidly, fill cup with hot water. Sprinkle top with nutmeg.
Post-Thanksgiving Leftovers Sheperd’s Pie
I’m not sure how this tradition got started, but it’s a great way to use up some of the leftovers that nobody really wants to snack on. I also don’t really have a “recipe” in the traditional sense, as I use whatever leftovers are available, and that changes from year to year. The size of the pie and the number it will serve depends on how many leftovers are available. But here’s the basics:
leftover turkey, cut into cubes
leftover pearl onions (or a small onion, chopped)
leftover relish-dish celery, chopped
leftover veggies, whatever is available
leftover gravy
leftover mashed potatoes
Combine first four ingredients in a casserole dish. Add a enough water to the gravy to make a nice sauce for the pie and pour over other ingredients in the dish. Top with leftover mashed potatoes. Sprinkle potatoes with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake at 375 – 400 until pie is hot and bubbly and cheese is melted.
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