Umm Ali (Mother of Ali!) is a popular traditional Egyptian dessert made with flaky pastry, raisins and nuts, topped with coconut milk sauce. Deemed the Egyptian cousin of the bread pudding, the unsavory history of Umm Ali by no means has an effect on its savor or deliciousness. Guaranteed to make you ask for more, this dessert is a must try, should you happen to visit Egypt.
Ingredients Required:
(Servings: 6)
· 400 grams/1 pack of frozen puff pastry, thawed
· 1 can sweetened condensed milk or 5 cups milk (buffalo milk preferred)
· ¼ cup coconut, cut into long pieces
· ½ cup cream
· ¼ cup raisins
· ¼ cup pistachios, chopped
· ¼ cup almonds, slivered
· ¼ cup pine nuts
· 1 tsp. vanilla extract
· Cinnamon to taste
Cooking Instructions:
· Preheat the oven to 200° C/ 400° F.
· Unfurl the puff pastry sheets and place in a baking pan, brushed lightly with little butter. Bake until the pastry sheets become golden and puffy.
· In a saucepan, boil condensed milk, vanilla extract and ¼-cup water in medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to cool.
· In a ramekin (ovenproof bowl or dish), break the puff pastry into small pieces and spread evenly.
· Toss raisins, pine nuts, almonds, pistachios and coconut pieces together. Add this mixture over the layer of pastry pieces. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon over it. Add another layer of pastry pieces.
· Repeat until the ramekin is filled to three-fourth.
· Pour the milk mixture over the Umm Ali and topped it up with cream.
· Bake for about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer the Umm Ali to a dish. Allow to cool down to room temperature.
Bite into the gooey, delish and croissant-like awesomeness of the Umm Ali. You have only ‘Ali’s Mother’ to thank for this!
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