Amazingly Good Eggnog

Ahhh, the season of hot chocolate and eggnog is upon us! I've already covered the hot chocolate, so here's the (cooked) eggnog. It is a bit of work, but so worth it. Great to bring to holiday parties!

Amazingly Good Eggnog


INGREDIENTS
4 cups milk
5 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 egg yolks *
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups light rum **
4 cups light cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg


DIRECTIONS
1. Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan, and heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil.
2. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs. Pour mixture into saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves, and let cool for about an hour.
3. Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoon vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving.


* You can also use 6 whole eggs instead.
** I've never used rum in eggnog, but the reviews seem to indicate that this is a LOT of rum. If you use it, one reviewer suggested starting with 1/2 cup and adjusting to your taste from there.