4 Food Safety and Eggnog Tips

Grab a glass of eggnog and warm up by the fire on December 24th for National Eggnog Day. Did you know that the whole month of December is National Eggnog Month? This makes it the perfect drink for the holiday season!

Traditional eggnog is made with raw eggs, sugar, milk cream and spices. However, the use of raw eggs is considered unsafe due to the possibility of Salmonella infection.

4 Food Safety and Eggnog Tips

It’s always important to practice safe food handling to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. It’s especially important when preparing food for a large number of people. Here are some tips to enjoy eggnog and reduce the risk of Salmonella.

Buy premade eggnog: Because of food safety regulations, most eggnog sold in the store has likely been pasteurized. The pasteurization process kills most harmful bacteria found in eggs and dairy products.

Use pasteurized eggs or egg products: Using unpasteurized eggs that you can get from a local farmers market or farm can be risky. If you’re set on making homemade eggnog, make sure that the eggs you use are pasteurized.

Store properly: Homemade Eggnog can stay good for up to 3 days when stored in 40 degrees or lower. Store-bought eggnog can stay good up to 7 days after it is opened and refrigerated.

When in doubt, throw it out: Don’t risk an illness that can wipe you out for the rest of the holiday season. If the eggnog does not look right, throw it away!

Easy Classic Eggnog Recipe

As long as you’re practicing safe food handling, making eggnog at home can be a fun and joyous experience. There’s no better way to get in the holiday feel than with a nice glass of homemade eggnog.

Here’s a simple recipe that you can customize to your preference:

Eggs
Sugar
Salt
Milk
Heavy cream
Nutmeg
Vanilla

Combine all the ingredients and cook over low heat, stirring constantly. Cook until the mixture is thick enough to coat a metal spoon and temperature reaches 160 degrees F. Don’t let it come to a boil and remove from heat immediately. Refrigerate, covered, until chilled, several hours or overnight.

Additional Tips

Just before serving add brandy, liquor, rum, or bourbon for an extra kick if desired.

To make it festive, garnish with toppings like whipped cream, ground nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, or candy canes.

The last few minutes of cooking eggnog are the most crucial. Undercooked eggnog is watery and overcooked eggnog will curdle; it only takes a few degrees.

To make eggnog perfectly smooth, pour it through a sieve before putting in the refrigerator to chill.

Eggnog is a delicious holiday treat! Remember if you want to make it homemade, pay attention that it’s cooked to the correct temperature to guarantee food safety.

Oh, and one last tip – you can use leftover eggnog in French toast or pancake batter!

Your Turn to Take Action: How will you enjoy eggnog this holiday season? Let me know in the comments below.