READY IN 40 mins

Umm Ali

Read Reviews (9)

"Umm Ali is a delicious traditional Egyptian dessert equivalent to North America's bread pudding. You can serve it warm with a scoop of French vanilla ice cream." — Mama & her Girls

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Unroll the puff pastry sheets, and place flat on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until puffed and golden brown.
Break the puff pastry into pieces, and place in a large bowl. Add the raisins, almonds, pine nuts, pistachios, and coconut, and toss to distribute. Pour into a 9x13 inch glass baking dish, and spread evenly.
Pour the milk into a saucepan, and stir in the sugar and vanilla. Heat until hot but not quite boiling. Pour over the mixture in the baking dish.
Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Turn the oven to broil, and broil for 2 minutes to brown the top. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Serve warm.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 10 mins
COOK 30 mins
READY IN 40 mins

Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

Oct 09, 2006

As usual, I slightly messed up the recipe by using a dish that was too small. As a result, I used less philo dough than called for. Due to sheer stupidity, I then proceeded to add more nuts, coconut and raisins than called for. Despite that...it turned out yummy! So long as you and yours enjoy nuts and raisins, you'll really like this dish. I'm not a huge raisin fan, but I enjoy them in an Indian versian of bread pudding, so I worked with them--and they were really great. And it's such a fun and unusual dish to prepare! :) SUPER easy. Seriously. SUPER quick. I am prone to all sorts of culinary disasters, yet it all worked out--I heated the milk mixture, added it, and cooked it while my guests were enjoying wine after dinner. THAT quick.

—sputnitsa

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Jan 01, 2008

Eh. This was just OK. Considering the MANY wonderful desserts coming out of the Middle East, I should have known that this was too easy to give me the results I wanted. I'll stick to the all day, time consuming recipes my grandmothers taught me. The puff pastry doesn't absorb the milk at all, and even if you fill the dish with it, and then it gets crispy on top. The nuts suck in moisture and taste odd after they bake.

—DRCLAIR

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11 Ratings

Jan 31, 2007

My Husband if from Egypt and was very impressed with this Umm Ali.He loved it He even Sent it over to our neighbors who are who are also from the middle east.Thanks

—mrs abououkal

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Nov 24, 2006

I may be to blame for the pastiness and blah flavor of my attempt at Umm Ali. First of all I left it on the counter almost 30 minutes before bakingand then, because I wanted to keep it warm until we were ready for dessert, I left it in the oven for 20 extra minutes at 200. It was pasty and lacked the moistness of a good bread pudding-type of dessert. I'd like to try again with out the extended warming.

—Laura A

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May 17, 2010

For even better Om Ali add whipped cream (2 cups) spread on the top just before baking. It is incredible!!

—chere

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Sep 03, 2009

I have checked out many ‘Im Ali’ recipes but never liked them & I have to say this was one of the best – easy & light (I use low fat puff pastry & skimmed milk). However, I prefer to sprinkle the nuts over the top so they remain “crunchy” & the dish looks better & more appetising. Thank you for this easy & delicious recipe :)

—r18m1a81

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Jun 22, 2007

I've never made bread pudding before, and this version was incredibly easy to make! Before baking the puff pastry, I split it into 3 inch squares. After baking, I split those squares in half or in quarters, and the varying sizes all worked well as the final product. This is best eaten right after it's cooled. I made the Umm Ali for Father's Day, and now every time my dad talks to me he demands that I make it again ASAP! It was absolutely delicious, and everyone who tried it loved it. I recommend serving this right after it cools from the oven. It doesn't even need ice cream added, it's so delicious. Also, I tried some leftovers a couple days later, and it wasn't nearly as good because the bread had absorbed all the milk. Still had the flavor though. Thanks so much for sharing!

—Julia

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Dec 31, 2004

This is SO good! I really like the addition of pine nuts.

—WildRose

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Nutrition

Calories
605 kcal
30%

Carbohydrates
67.2 g
22%

Cholesterol
12 mg
4%

Fat
32.7 g
50%

Fiber
2.3 g
9%

Protein
12.4 g
25%

Sodium
237 mg
9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Umm Ali

Serving Size: 1/8 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 605
Calories from Fat: 295

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 32.7g 50 %
Saturated Fat 9g 45 %
Cholesterol 12mg 4 %
Sodium 237mg 9 %
Potassium 406mg 11 %
Total Carbohydrates 67.2g 22 %
Dietary Fiber 2.3g 9 %
Protein 12.4g 25 %
Sugars 37.1g
** Vitamin A 6 %
** Vitamin C < 1 %
Calcium 25 %
Iron 24 %
** Thiamin 38 %
** Niacin 40 %
Vitamin B6 10 %
Magnesium 20 %
Folate 34 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.