Festive Holiday Cooking

Eggnog is traditionally consumed throughout the holiday season. During this time commercially prepared eggnog is sold in grocery stores but it can be home-made using milk, eggs, sugar and flavorings. Eggnog is served with cinnamon or nutmeg. While eggnog is often served chilled, in some cases it is served warmed, adding in whiskey or rum.
Since eggnog is a seasonal item one has to be quick to purchase a carton in the dairy section as supplies are available for a limited time .

A word about Saigon Cinnamon  

Saigon cinnamon -- sometimes referred to as Vietnamese cinnamon -- has some distinctive characteristics that set it apart from the other cinnamon varieties. The flavor is more intense than regular ground cinnamon so you would use less than regular cinnamon. 

It will not surprise you that I am a huge fan of the spice as it's an ingredient regularly included in my recipes and enhances a lot of dishes.

 Eggnog Coffee Cake is a moist and flavorful cake perfect for those holiday morning get-togethers. Fresh cranberries, dried cranberries or dried cherries and sliced almonds can be added for extra flavor,texture and crunch. It's delicious and even better with your favorite  cup of coffee or tea. 

The recipe was adapted from Food Network Magazine December 2017 and serves 8.

Ingredients:

For the cake:

• Cooking spray
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 tsp. Saigon cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 10 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
• 1 TB. pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream-light
• 1 cup dried cranberries or cherries or 1-1/2 cups fresh cranberries sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar  

For the topping and glaze:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tsp. Saigon cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• 5 TB. cold butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup almonds 
• 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 TB. eggnog

Cake Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees  and coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Whisk the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, egg yolk and vanilla until combined.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the sour cream in two batches. Increase the mixer speed to medium high and beat until well combined, about 30 seconds. 
• Stir in dried cherries or fresh cranberries and spread evenly into prepared pan.

Topping Directions:

• Combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a medium bowl. Work in the butter with your fingers until clumpy or pulse a few times in food processor. Scatter the topping over the cake batter. Sprinkle with almonds.
• Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean about 35-40 minutes. 
• Transfer pan to a rack and let cool 20 minutes, then remove the springform ring and let cool completely.

Glaze Directions: 

• Whisk the confectioners' sugar with 3-4 tablespoons eggnog in a medium bowl until smooth and desired consistency.
• Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake before serving.

Leftover Mash Potato Rerun 
Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs a great way to use leftover mashed potatoes. My sister had made a huge bowl we couldn't finish up on Thanksgiving. Her mashed potato recipe is pretty standard with butter, milk, salt and pepper, a little Boursin cheese and some sour cream.  I took the leftovers and changed them into crispy puffs. Oh my, they were good and I am not even a potato person! 

The recipe makes 8-10 depending on size of pan used. The recipe comes from thekitchn.com
Ingredients:

• 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup grated cheese such as Parmesan, shredded Mexican cheese, Gruyere
• 1 tsp. each chives and parsley flakes
• 1/3 cup diced meat e.g. cooked ham or crumbled bacon

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat muffin pan. 
• Beat eggs and add in mashed potatoes, cheese, spices and diced meat. 
• Bake about 23 minutes. Let cool in pan five minutes before removing. 

The options are endless. But here are two ideas to consider

• Goat Cheese and Spinach with minced garlic 
• Italian-Inspired-chopped sun dried tomatoes, chopped basil and finely chopped shallots