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JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

I need a hand you guys..... Today at school, the topic of Christmas came up, and we were talking about Christmas foods and drinks. Japanese are not familiar with "eggnog" -- at least not the way we know it. Japanese eggnog involves whisking eggs in sake (at least that's my understanding of it), and the dictionaries that I consulted could not adequately explain this mystery beverage.

I'm wondering, would someone be willing to provide a brief explanation that I could use?

私は日本語がよく分かりますがこれを説明するできない。　　日本語で書いて下さい。 ...as my computer can display the kanji w/o a problem.

Excuse any errors in my poor Japanese...

Secondly, an explanation will not likely do anyone any good if they can't imagine what it tastes like. I was thinking of MAKING some eggnog (since you sure can't buy it around here) for the teachers in the staff room to try. Is anyone willing to type up a good eggnog recipe and post it up on the forum? Please and Thank you! Very Happy

Thanks in advance, everyone!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

My go-to site for anything I want to whip up.

http://www.recipeland.com/

taikibansei · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 811 Location: Japan

This site provides both an explanation (in Japanese) and recipes:

http://www.geocities.jp/haveparty01/Party-US-ChristmasHistory4-Eggnog.html

abufletcher · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 6:51 am Post subject:

I've made Danish "ableskiver" (apple dumplings) for my students. The electric takiyaki pans work perfectly!

http://www.recipesource.com/ethnic/europe/danish/ableskiver1.html

abufletcher · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 6:53 am Post subject:

BTW, I like the Simpson episode where Homer uses eggnog on his cereal in the morning complaining that "They only give us 31 wonderful eggnoggy days a year!"

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

The same thing came up at my school. However, one of the teacher's took out her electronic dictionary, and informed me that there was a japanese equivalent. She told me the ingredients.

Now, when I was a child, we were poor, so we made our own Eggnog, and it wasnt as good and creamy as the store bought stuff, but it was still pretty good. I too intend to make some for the Staff the last week of school in December.

I bought some 'Vanilla Essence' (Vanilla extract) and will see how it tastes.

I used to put two eggs in a glass, beat the eggs, add some sugar, a teaspoon of Vanilla extract and milk.....mix....I guess experimenting with different amounts would be the way to go.

abufletcher · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 9:13 am Post subject:

abufletcher · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 9:16 am Post subject:

Being married to a Mexican however has meant that our own little family Xmas food tradiions traditions lean more towards dozens of homemade sweet tamales and sticky bunuelos.

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Please don't share this holiday joy with your students. When student teaching to Asian exchange students (most Japanese) my supervising instructor decided to bring some "seasonal treats" to a winter class party. Pumpkin pie went over all right, but the egg nog was just cruel. I think a couple kids just about lost it.

abufletcher · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 4:24 am Post subject:

Hey, if I have to endure raw sea slug at department dinners and my kids have to munch on handfuls of little dried fish during school lunches -- or risk being labeled "taberarenei gaijin" then I think our students can at the least be expected to take a sip of eggnog and maybe eat a piece of divinity without squishing up their faces and saying "It's toooooooooooo sweet!" Very Happy

But I have to say, the image of watching someone crack a few raw eggs in a glass then adding some milk and sugar then stirring it up and handing it to me, turns my stomach a bit too!

On the other hand, I don't regularly drop a raw egg on my rice in the morning.

Sherri · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 5:23 am Post subject:

I brought pumpkin pie to my class today and it went over pretty well, they polished off the pie (8 Japanese and 1 Taiwanese student)

I am pretty sure you can buy already made eggnog at National Azabu supermarket in Hiroo (Tokyo). My husband liked it laced with plenty of rum or brandy... Now here in the US, he was the one who sought it out in the supermarket and put it in the cart.

Best
Sherri

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Sure is a long way in to Tokyo, but I have to have some of that store bought nog. Tried making it a couple times but it just wasn't the same.

Happy Holidays,
s

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

Where did you get Pumpkin Pie in Japan?

The cooks at my school took our Halloween pumpkin and got a hold of a pumpkin pie recipe, and tried making pumpkin pie. It turned out to be ok, but it was more like 'pumpkin struedel'.....the crust was made in strudel style and not the same consistency as pie crust. The pie filling was also too wet.....they asked how it was and I said that it was 'interesting' and tasted fine, but it was only 'similar' to Pumkin Pie. It would be nice to bring one in.

I havent decided about the Egg Nog yet (home made).....I wont make it in front of them....but if it tastes ok, ill make a couple of litres and bring it in.

Sherri · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 5:55 pm Post subject:

I always made my own pumpkin pie when I lived in Japan. You can use ordinary "kabocha". You have to cook it first, either roast in the oven or steam. Them put it through a sieve, then make as usual.

Now I am trying to figure out how to get a hold of those small mince pies that are popular in England at Christmastime. I love those!

Sherri

abufletcher · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 12:32 pm Post subject: