Disney's Polynesian Resort

Serves 10

4 loaves dry dread
4 cups half and half or milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 stick butter melted
2 tsp nutmeg 2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbs vanilla extract
6 eggs, beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, 180 Centigrade or gas mark 4.

Tear bread into 2-inch pieces. In a large bowl, add half and half (or milk) sugar,nutmeg,cinnamon,vanilla and half the buttre. Add eggs and mix well. Add bread and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
Grease a 9 x 12 x 2-inch baking pan and add bread mixture. Dot top with remaining butter and bake for 1 hour. Let cool and serve with vanilla sauce.

Vanilla sauce

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
3 cups of half and half
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sugar

Melt butter in pan. Add flour and cook on low heat for 7-10 minutes, or until a nutty aroma develops. Do not brown or colour the roux. Remove from heat and let cool.
In separarte saucepan, heat half and half with sugar and bring to boil. Add roux and stir until thickened. Reduce heat and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes to prevent sauce from breaking. Stir constantly. Remove from heat once sauce has thickened and stir in vanilla. Strain through a fine sieve and serve.