Cookbook | Ingredients | Recipes

Mother-In-Law's Milk, or Latte di Suocera

La Suocera is as proverbial in Italy as she is anywhere else, and Italians (especially daughters-in-law) have come up with all sorts of ways to keep them content; one of the most popular items in candy stands at fairs is addormenta suocere, candied nuts that supposedly send mothers-in-law off into a deep sleep (my mother-in-law simply enjoys them). Those who like to make liqueurs at home can also try this milk.

It will be a nice after dinner drink -- so nice I'd probably drink more than I gave my Suocera -- and will also work very well over vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

• 1 1/8 pounds (500 g, or 2 1/8 cups) sugar
• 1 pint (568 ml) whole milk
• 1 pint (568 ml) grain alcohol
• grated zest of an organically grown lemon
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

Procedure

1. Combine all the ingredients in a wide-mouthed jar, screw the lid on tightly,
2. give them a good shake, and
3. put the jar in a dark place.
4. Shake it once a day for 8 days, and then
5. filter it and bottle it.
6. Stopper the bottle, put it in a cool dark place, and let it rest for a month before you open it.