Emeril's Anytime Eggnog

Place a large bowl in a larger bowl of ice water and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks and 1 cup sugar until pale yellow and thick, about 2 minutes.

In a medium saucepan, bring milk, vanilla bean, and 1/8 teaspoon salt to a bare simmer. Remove from heat. Whisking constantly, slowly pour 2 cups hot milk mixture into yolks. Whisking, slowly pour yolk mixture into saucepan. Cook over medium, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of spoon, about 3 minutes.

Pour mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into bowl in ice bath. Let cool, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Cover and refrigerate eggnog base until chilled, about 1 hour.

Whisk brandy and cream into chilled eggnog base. In another large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add 3/4 cup sugar and beat on high until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whites into eggnog base until blended. Serve eggnog sprinkled with nutmeg, if desired.