"Om Ali".. A Dessert That Shines Brighter During Ramadan

While Qatayef dominates as the most popular Ramadan dessert, receiving great attention from many, there is another sweet dish that has its own significant place and presence during the nights of the holy month of Ramadan: Om Ali. This dessert is a constant companion for sweet lovers throughout the year.اضافة اعلان

There is a unique reason behind the naming of Om Ali. She was the second wife of King Az-Zahir Ibaq, who was married to Shajarat al-Durr in a strategic move to establish a male ruler for the country, as the people refused to accept a woman in power. Shajarat al-Durr continued to rule the country under the guise of her husband until she killed him. This is when his second wife, Om Ali, appeared, seeking revenge for her husband and child. She plotted her revenge against Shajarat al-Durr, beating her to death with sandals. Following the murder of Shajarat al-Durr, Om Ali made a dish from flour, sugar, ghee, and dough sheets and distributed it among the people to celebrate Shajarat al-Durr’s death. This is where the dish got its name, Om Ali.

How to Prepare the "Om Ali" Dessert:

Ingredients:

8 tablespoons of powdered milk

500 grams of puff pastry dough

1 cup of sugar

6.5 cups of water

180 grams of butter

1.5 cans of cream

1/4 cup of cashews

1/4 cup of peeled almonds, halved

1/4 cup of peeled pine nuts

1/4 cup of peeled pistachios

Preparation Method:

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Roll out the puff pastry dough, flatten it, and cut it into medium-sized cubes.

Place the puff pastry pieces on a baking tray for 30 minutes, until they turn golden brown.

Remove the tray from the oven and allow the pieces to cool slightly.

In another baking tray, place the cashews, almonds, pine nuts, and pistachios, and toast them in the oven until their color changes. Remove them and set aside.

In a bowl, dissolve the powdered milk in water.

In a saucepan, add the dissolved milk, cream, sugar, and butter. Stir the mixture over low heat until it boils, then remove from heat.

In a Pyrex dish, layer the toasted nuts followed by a layer of the puff pastry cubes.

Pour the cream mixture over the puff pastry and nuts. Place the Pyrex dish back in the oven until the mixture thickens slightly.

The dessert is now ready to serve. Optionally, you can garnish the top of the dish with more nuts for decoration.

This delightful dessert is perfect for Ramadan gatherings, offering both delicious taste and a rich historical background.