festive guilt-free eggnog

With all the eating to be done during the holiday season, I’m happy to cut calories wherever I can. This delicious festive eggnog has no cream, uses skimmed milk and has less than one egg yolk per serving, so you can indulge in a cup (or two!) guilt-free. If you like a real boozy eggnog just double the rum (you can substitute with whisky if that’s your poison of choice) for a really merry Christmas!

Festive Low-Fat Eggnog
serves 4

2 cups skimmed (non-fat) milk
2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 strips of lemon zest
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cornstarch
1/3 cup sugar
1 clove
1/4 cup golden rum
freshly grated nutmeg (garnish)

Place lemon zest, cinnamon, clove, vanilla extract and 1 1/2 cups of milk in a saucepan and heat gently on the stove. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, egg yolk, sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl until well combined and the colour has lightened.

Slowly pour the hot infused milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly, then pour back into the warm pan. Heat on a medium flame, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until the eggnog thickens (4-5 minutes).

Remove from heat and immediately stir in the remaining 1/2 cup milk to stop the cooking. Pour into a large bowl placed over ice to cool and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

Remove the lemon zest and clove. Spike with the rum and garnish with a generous grating of nutmeg just before serving.