Spotlight Recipes: Slimmed-Down Eggnog

Make a homemade eggnog that is lower in calories and fat that the usual Christmas drink.
Lower Calorie Eggnog
Got 'nog? If you're anything like me, you have it every Christmas.

No doubt you've seen a slew of eggnog brands in the supermarket dairy case, but those pre-packaged ones boast 190 calories and 9 grams of fat or more per serving. That serving is only a 1/2 cup and doesn't count the liquor if you like it loaded. As for all those unrecognizable ingredients ("carageen"?), don't get me started.

This year, I'm making a homemade mix for my family so we can all indulge a little more (and a little more calorie consciously). Classic eggnog recipes call for four or more raw eggs, but with food safety in mind, I am going to cook mine. As long as you simmer the milk-egg combo on low heat, you won't end up with scrambled eggnog.

The simplest calorie-cutting move is to trade non-fat milk for the whole milk or heavy cream. With a little booze mixed in (bourbon, whiskey, rum, brandy or whatever your pleasure) and a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon, you won't notice the difference.

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