A New Christmas Tradition

First Lady Dianne Bentley has a tradition of cooking during the holiday season and no exception was to be made during her first Christmas at the Governor's Mansion. She worked alongside Chef Jim Smith, the winner of this year's Great American Seafood Cook-off, to help prepare the food served at each Mansion event. Staff members commented that it was refreshing to spend such long and enjoyable afternoons with Alabama's First Lady, and each will take away special memories from this Christmas season with her.

The First Lady has many recipes that are popular during Christmas but one of the most savory is the recipe for bread pudding. The instructions to make it are below.

Bread Pudding

16 slices of white bread torn into pieces
9x13 pan sprayed with Pam

1 stick of margarine, melted
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 quart regular milk

Spread bread pieces evenly into the bottom of a 9x13 pan that has been coated with Pam. Mix the above ingredients and pour over the bread. Sprinkle with cinnamon if so desired. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

White Chocolate Sauce

12 ounce bag of white chocolate chips (you will only use half the bag)
1 stick of margarine
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

Melt half the bag of chips with margarine in the microwave, about 2 minutes.
Add 1 Cup of powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, and 6 teaspoons of water. Beat until smooth and creamy. Pour over the hot bread pudding and let rest about 5 or 10 minutes before serving.

Governor and Mrs. Bentley wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!