We're delighted to share our Aunt Nettie with you. Since 2009 Aunt Nettie has known people were struggling to stretch their dollars during the recession. So she focused her tasty recipes on low-cost ingredients that would still offer delicious, healthy, stick-to-the-ribs foods, yet were affordable. With the economy improving and more people back at work, Aunt Nettie felt the time was right to ease up a bit on strict bargain-bin shopping and gussy up the menu with a few small splurges. Aunt Nettie is still happy to answer questions that come her way, but what she loves most is offering seasonal fixin's that inspire her while shopping at the farm stand.
Howdy there darlin's,
Well, now, here come the holidays an' this year they's all gathered up together practically on the same day--now that's kinda unusual.
In 2016 the first night o' Hanukkah is December 25th, on Christmas night--imagine that, an' Kwanzaa starts December 26 an' lasts for a whole week. Looks like there'll be lots o' celebratin' come end of this month.
I cain't think of a better way to celebrate than to blend up a whoppin' batch o' Santa's Christmas Nog and watch ever'one sip away 'til they's happy as a lark. An' you cain't miss 'em--no sir--you'll see 'em smilin' from ear ta ear after a couple sips.
Nice thing is y'all don't have ta work very hard ta make folks feel the holiday spirit--an' whether y'all serve it up with a tad o' brandy or not, a l'il ole cup o' nog is a mighty nice way to toast with holiday cheer. Folks can git mighty happy on this nog, mind you, and start toastin' all sorts o' things--Aunt Susie's chocolate brownies, yer Dad's new car, an' even babies that ain't been born yet.
But it don't matter a hoot--long as ever'one's having a mighty fine time. Now I want ta wish ever'one a wonderful season o' holiday happiness any which way y'all celebrate.
An' I do hopes y'all enjoy the holidays with a l'il ole cup o' this fine-tastin' nog. Raise a cup fer me, too, darlin's an' I'll do the same.
Yer ever lovin' Aunt Nettie
Spirited holiday gatherings beg for celebratory nog with a spicy personality that measures up to the spirit of the season. The quantity of brandy in this nog is a gentle starting point. I often serve a tiny pitcher of extra brandy and set it beside the pitcher of nog so guests can crank up the holiday spirit a notch or two if they choose. You can also serve this tasty nog without the brandy and still enjoy a delightful, welcoming, and well-spiced festive beverage.
Yield: 6 (6-ounce/169g) servings
Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum or guar gum, if needed to thicken the nog
Note: The nog will thicken slightly and tends to separate when refrigerated. Refresh with a brief whirl in the blender or whisk vigorously just before serving. If desired, put a cinnamon stick into each cup.
Aunt Nettie grew up on the farm. She did not eat out of a can or reach into the freezer. There was no microwave to pop her food into. Everything she made was from scratch. All the food she ate was natural, without pesticides. It was grown right there on the family farm, and she had to cook to survive. At eighty-three years young she still leaps and bounds around the kitchen and can shake, rattle, and roll those pots and pans with the best of them. Nowadays, Aunt Nettie just shakes her head and complains, "Nobody cooks anymore. They have no idea about puttin' a meal together." She's on a mission. She wants to help those younguns eat better so they can grow up healthy like her own eight kids.
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