Dirty Restaurants

I have an obsession that I'm more than okay with.  It's an obsession with the health inspection scores of restaurants that serve me food.  Everywhere I go I scour the windows and entryways to make sure they have the score posted.  This comes after years of a segment on the NBC affiliate in Charlotte (where I grew up) called "Eat, Drink and Be Wary."  Apparently health inspectors won't eat anywhere that scores below a 96 (out of 101).  I sometimes allow 94 but below that and I can't.  WHY WOULD I DO THAT TO MYSELF??  These places have stuff you can't see because it's in the kitchen-- like dirty ice, cleaning solutions stored above food, RAT FECES.  YUCK.  This week's low scorer had FLIES in the ice.  FLIES.  Yuck.  Tell me this report doesn't make you want to check every window door or website.  I hate the states like VIRGINIA and FLORIDA that don't require posting.  You can find it on the health inspector's website in your state or county.  Check your favorites.  I DO.

Chai Eggnog

This recipe by Erika Lenkert was on the Everyday with Rachael Ray website.  Chai + eggnog???  I'M DOWN! 

• 2 cups eggnog
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup powdered chai tea
• 1/3 cup brandy
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 gingersnaps, crushed

Directions:

1. Using an electric mixer, beat the eggnog, vanilla, chai powder and brandy.
   
2. On a small plate, stir together the brown sugar and 1½ teaspoons water. Place the crushed gingersnaps on another small plate. Coat the rims of four rocks glasses with the brown-sugar syrup, then the gingersnap crumbs. Fill the glasses with the chai eggnog.
   
   Results:  Since it was the middle of the day, I modified this for a non-alcoholic version.  (Boring, I know.)  I warmed up the eggnog and vanilla then steeped a chai teabag.  I also omitted the second step.  DELICIOUS!!  And I will definitely be using this as an after dinner dessert Christmas day!