Shahd Alhamdan

Saudi Gazette

 

Um Ali, the famous Egyptian dessert, is an all-time popular sweet dish across the gulf and often served during Ramadan, particularly at Iftar and Sahour.



But what comprises a good serving of Um Ali. This particular Ramadan favorite is made from puff pastry with added cream, nuts and dried fruits to make a truly spectacular hot dessert. Some people also add nuts and raisins with sweetened warm cream.



Saudi Gazette is providing housewives an easy recipe to make this truly delightful dessert:



INGREDIENTS:



250g filo pastry sheets



100g flaked/sliced almonds



10g melted butter



70g chopped walnuts



1 liter low-fat milk



250ml cream



120ml honey



1 teaspoon vanilla extract



OVEN TEMPERATURE:



Oven should be preheated at 180°C



METHOD:



•  First cut the filo sheets in half to roughly fit the dish.



•  Place a sheet of baking parchment on top of baking sheet.



•  Place in oven and remove after 10 minutes once the color of all of the layers of pastry has turned brown.



•  Grease the pan using the butter and a pastry brush.



•  Break 3 sheets of the pastry into pieces and place within the dish.



• Sprinkle some of the chopped walnuts and almonds and repeat layering until you have used up all of the pastry and nuts.



•  Then place the milk, cream, honey and vanilla in a large pan and bring to boil.



•  Pour the milk mixture evenly over the pastry and nuts.



•  Bake in a pre heated oven for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the top is a nice golden brown.



•  Decorate the top with almonds.



TIP:



It is advisable to serve Um Ali hot and fresh straight from the oven rather than several hours later.