Saucepans and Spices

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UMM ALI

Shilpa Anand

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