It is time for some holiday celebrating with a big cup of sweet, creamy Egg Nog; a beverage that many people enjoy while decorating the Christmas tree, or bringing in the New Year. Traditionally made with milk, and/or heavy cream, sugar and whipped eggs, I have created a version that is vegan and sugar-free. It has all the richness, sweetness, spice and creamy texture as the traditional one, just without the mucus-forming dairy and blood sugar spiking effect of all that refined sugar.
Egg Nog may have originated in East England or Medieval Europe as a beverage made with hot milk and eggs. The middle Eastern term for a small, carved wooden mug used to serve alcohol was called a nog, which is where the name came from. It’s often served with brandy, rum or bourbon, but you can also enjoy a non-alcohol version. The signature taste of the Egg Nog is the spice nutmeg, usually sprinkled on top. Nutmeg is the brown seed of an Indonesian evergreen tree. It can help to aid in digestion, relieve coughs, reduce pain, and you can rub the oil into joints to relieve arthritic pain.
The version I have created uses Amazake to help make the drink sweet and creamy. Amazake is a fermented, sweet, thick beverage. It is made by fermenting brown rice. It is the first fermentation when they make the alcohol beverage Sake. Amazake literally means ‘Sweet Sake’. However, Amazake has no alcohol in it. Amazake will not spike blood sugar, and therefore is a healthy alternative to refined sugar. You can find Amazake in the freezer section of your local health food store. Cheers! And Happy Holidays!
Egg Nog
1/2 package (6 oz.) of organic firm silken tofu
1 cup rice milk
3/4 cup Amazake
1/4 cup brown rice syrup
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
pinch ginger
pinch sea salt
Put all the ingredients into a food processor. Puree until smooth. Pour drink through a small strainer to remove any clumps that might be in the Nog. Put in refrigerator and let it get cold. Whisk together and put into a cup. Sprinkle a little nutmeg on top before serving. Recipe notes: You can use your favorite non-dairy milk substitute. Heating the drink helps to enhance the flavor and makes a tastier beverage. You can serve the Egg Nog warm if you desire.
Val Wilson
