Om Ali

Om Ali

Om Ali, Omali, Umm Ali, or Oumm Ali (Egyptian Arabic: أم على), meaning "Mother of Ali", is a traditional Egyptian dessert, and is a national dessert of Egypt.^[1] There are numerous variations with different composition.^[2][3] The dish, which is traced back to the early years of Egypt's Mamluk era, is named after the wife of the Sultan of Egypt who asked her cooks to come up with the most delicious dessert that they could create. The chosen recipe was distributed throughout the country, and became a national dish of Egypt.^[4]

History[]

The Egyptian dessert is said to have originated as a celebration of the death of Shajar al-Durr, who had been married to Egypt's final Sultan from the Ayyubid dynasty, As-Salih, and subsequently to the first of Egypt's Mamluk Sultans, Izz al-Din Aybak. Shajar al-Durr plotted the murder of Aybak, after which she became ruler of Egypt. Ultimately, she was herself killed in retribution, whereafter Aybak's first wife, who was known as Om Ali, asked to have a dessert prepared in celebration. The dessert was popularised throughout the country, and was named after Om Ali. ^[5][6]

Recipe[]

Typically, pastry (bread, pastry or puff pastry) is divided into pieces and blended with pistachios, coconut flakes, raisins and plenty of sugar. Milk, sometimes with cream, is poured over the mixture, which is then sprinkled with cinnamon. Finally, the mixture is baked in the oven until the surface is golden brown.^[3]

It may be eaten hot or cold.^[6]

There are another Jordanian and Iraqi different variants known as "khumaiaa".

The dish may be compared to bread and butter pudding, albeit that the latter also includes eggs.

References[]

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