My inspiration for today comes from the link that was shared with me last night by my fellow Combat Aircrew 9 member, Deena. Somehow, through the glories above, she found the famous/infamous recipe for the Canadian’s Moose Milk. Yes, just the mention of the words Moose Milk conjures up all kinds of images. None of which, surprisingly, are moose.
The year was 2000. Location was Sigonella, Sicily. The mission: Dogfish.
Excerpt from What They Don’t Teach You in Deer River:
“To keep NATO (North American Treaty Organization) forces sharp, in 1975 they developed a joint exercise called Dogfish. Besides us representing the mighty Americans, other participants included the Canadians, French, Germans, Greeks, Italians, Dutch, Norwegians, Portuguese, Spanish, Turks, and the Brits. For almost two weeks straight, our crews worked jointly with our allies in various multi-coordinated anti-submarine warfare operations with a force of ships, submarines, and aircraft. We flew around the clock and engaged in many cat-and-mouse games that worked to improve the coordination and skills of our own military operators as well as our joint NATO force operations. It was both exhausting and a blast!
Of course, upon completion of this exercise, what were we to do but host a marvelously entertaining shindig for all of the aircrew platforms involved. Every country brought drinks and/or food representing their country. The French brought wine and cheese. The Spanish brought sangria - (nicknamed ‘the leg-spreader of the Mediterranean’) the best and most dangerous sangria I’ve tasted to date. The Germans beer and Wiener Schnitzel, and the Canadian’s brought “Moose Milk”. Not literally, as that would be weird - but it was a type of mixed drink similar to a white Russian. I can say that since the Russians weren’t there, because, well Russia always cheats at war games. Just kidding, Russia. xoxo. It was almost like a mini Epcot Center - only with war-fighters and much alcohol. Ironically, I cannot remember what we brought that year. Perhaps Cheeseburgers and Coors Lite? I seriously hope not. But clearly it wasn’t anything to write home about. Or in a book.
The party proved to be a great time, and after a few swigs of Moose Milk, I headed over to the German table. I was so ready to impress them, so I let loose and recited the only line I could remember from taking two years of German in high school. “Darf ink zur toilette gain?” Which translates to “May I use the toilet?” At least I thought it did. That’s what our German teacher in high school taught us to say if we wanted to use the facilities. Of course that would be the only line that came to mind. The worst part was that I wasn’t even asking where the toilet was - like normal people would. I was asking them for permission.
They all looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders and replied an apathetic, “Uh, ya...”
“Danke. Ich bin Julia.”
“Sie sind willkommen.” I quickly learned that their German was very different from the German I learned in school. Just like the time I went to a Puerto Rican wedding with my friend, Freddie. I sounded like a formal robot. Thankfully, they were quickly forgiving of my awkwardness (in both occasions), and a good beer fixed everything (again, both occasions). I learned quickly that even a poor attempt to speak another’s language is always worth the effort. Even if you mess it up - they will be grateful that you tried.
I also learned that it’s a bad idea to mix all of the drinks from all over the world. Apparently, there is a reason oceans separate some of us.”
So for your holiday party delights, the Moose Milk recipe below, found on the page: http://m.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/31/1266338/-Royal-Canadian-Air-Force-Moose-Milk-Recipe
It is New Year's Eve, so in order to assist those aviators and airport bums who enjoy entertaining at home, I present the secret recipe for the concoction known to RCAF personnel as "Moose Milk". Originally made with milk obtained from a lactating Alces alces, the practice was eventually curtailed. Too many pilots and flight crew members began attending morning "sick parades" due to a variety of "non-combat related" injuries, leaving no one to "slip the surly bonds".
RCAF MOOSE MILK
Ingredients:
12 Egg yolks
40 Oz Canadian Whiskey
40 Oz Rum
5 Oz Kahlua
10 Oz Maple Syrup
40 Oz Milk (homogenized – don’t use skim!)
40 Oz Heavy Whipping Cream (not canned)
1 Cup Sugar
Method:
Beat yolks until fluffy and well mixed.
Add sugar and beat mixture until thick.
Stir in milk and liquor
Chill at least 3 hours. Best if can sit overnight.
Then: Whip cream until good and thick (canned whip cream will go flat, so avoid canned cream)
Fold in whipped cream (it will appear as if it has totally thinned out, but don’t worry, that is normal)
Chill for another hour.
Sprinkle the top with nutmeg and cinnamon.]
Should be kept chilled because of the raw eggs.
This should not be a problem as Moose Milk disappears quite quickly.
Should serve a crowd of fifty....
Or ten aviators.
Drink with caution.
