Umm Ali

Umm Ali is an Arabic dessert… There is a small story behind its existence…..once an Arab king was visiting a village and was very hungry,he wanted to eat something…. The village being very poor, people had just self-sufficient food….then a woman named Umm Ali (which means mother of Ali) asked if she could serve the king….She went home took some leftover pita bread, poured some milk n cream with sugar and some nuts….cooked it a bit and served it….the king ate and was so impressed that it became a very popular dish….

umm ali

Ingredients:

  • Leftover Pita bread or chapatti – 2 nos.
  • Whole milk – 1cup
  • Heavy cream – ¾ cup
  • Fresh cream – ½ cup
  • Chopped or sliced mixed nuts of your choice – (I have used Almonds, pistachios, cashew and raisins.)
  • Ghee – 1 teaspoon
  • Saffron – few strands
  • Sugar – 2 tablespoon
  • Plain evaporated milk (optional) – 2 tablespoon

Method:

Apply ghee to the leftover pita bread or chapatti and either bake it in oven for 10 minutes on 200 degree centigrade or roast it on a pan until brown and crisp. Break them and place in an oven proof dish. Sprinkle the chopped or sliced nuts over it generously.

In a saucepan heat the milk, along with sugar, saffron and evaporated milk. When it starts boiling, add the heavy cream and let it further boil for a minute. Pour this mixture over the roasted bread. Preheat oven on 220 degree centigrade. Spread the fresh cream over the prepared mixture and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Let it stand for few minutes. Enjoy it warm.