UMM ALI

Umm Ali ( Om Ali )
Egyptian Sweet Pastry Dessert
Typically Pastry ( bread, croissants , puff pastry ) is divided into pieces and blended with dessicated coconut, almonds, pistachios, cashews , raisins and sugar.
A mixture of Milk, Coconut milk Cream and cinnamon is then poured over the mixture .
Finally the mixture is then baked in oven until surface is golden brown.
Umm Ali is often compared to Bread and Butter Pudding , albeit that the latter also includes eggs.
This is also a very popular Arabic Dessert.

UMM ALI ( ARABIC DESSERT)

INGREDIENTS 

TO PREPARE THE PUDDING 

• 2 cups milk

• 2 tbsp creme fraiche

• 3 tbsp cornstarch 

• ½ cup sugar 

• ½ tsp Vanilla sugar or vanilla essence 

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a small pan,mix together milk, sugar, cornstarch 

• Mix well

• Turn on heat to medium 

• Continuously stir the pudding mix 

• Add vanilla essence

• Cook the mixture until it thickens 

• Remove the pan from heat and then add the creme fraiche 

• Mix well 

• Let it cool down. Keep aside for use later 

TO MAKE THE MILK MIXTURE

INGREDIENTS 

• 2 cups of milk

• 1cup coconut milk 

• 1tbsp cornstarch 

• 1tsp cinnamon powder

• I tsp vanilla essence 

• ¾ th cup sugar 

INSTRUCTIONS 

• in a pan add milk, coconut milk, sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Mix well

• Now cook this mixture on medium heat, stirring continuously.

• Boil for few minutes until slightly thickened 

• Remove from heat and let it cool down. Set aside 

GARNISH

• ½ cup desiccated coconut 

• 1cup chopped mix nuts( almonds, pistachios, raisins, cashews)

OTHERS

3 large croissants or 5-6 small ones or ½ kg phyllo pastry ( I’ve used croissants) 

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER 

• preheat oven to 180C

• Take an ovenproof deep dish( as u have to layer the ingredients)

• Place a few pieces of roughly cut croissants at the bottom 

• Pour the milk mixture on the croissants spreading it evenly

• Sprinkle some desiccated coconut 

• Sprinkle mixed nuts

• Add half of the pudding mixture

• Add another layer of croissants 

• Add chopped nuts 

• Add the remaining  pudding mixture

• Top off with desiccated coconuts and mixed nuts( avoid raisins on the topmost layer as they tend to burn in the oven) 

• Bake for 20 - 25 mins 

• Broil for another 4-5 mins 

• Remove from oven 

• Your exotic dessert Umm Ali is ready 

• Serve warm 

• Enjoy