My Love Affair with Umm Ali

July 25, 2011 12 Comments

No. This is NOT a cappuccino.

Ever since The Husband introduced this dessert, I’ve been craving and raving about it. I’m not sure where exactly this particular Arabic dessert came from: Egypt? Syria? Lebanon? Morocco? Iran? Iraq? I really don’t! (But would appreciate if someone would enlighten me. I’d thank the high heavens for the inventor of Umm Ali) All I know that it hits the spot so hard that it’s all I think about nowadays…

So what is this Umm Ali?

For those who are Umm Ali virgins, like I was a month ago, Umm Ali is a bread pudding. A deceptively lighter, fluffier version of it. I tell you it is deceptively light because of the oh so rich ingredients. So I do take caution in consuming bowls of Umm Ali. It can go straight to the thighs…and I think they already did go to my thighs. Pieces of bread (seems to be a flaky pastry) covered lovingly with warm, thin blanket milk / cream and sprinkled with golden sultanas, chopped pistachio and almond slivers. I shiver in pleasure now as I describe it. Brrrrr…

See how lovely Umm Ali is?

It is always and best served warm. Never settle for a cold bowl of Umm Ali. NEVER!

A friend says Umm Ali tastes like a warm bowl of soggy cornflakes. But that just sounds utterly sad and just downright gross.

It kinda looks like soggy cornflakes come to think of it...

But trust me, I think I have not met anyone YET, who does not like the Umm Ali.

The Umm Ali is just a divine dessert, for me, the perfect ending to a savory meal. Not too sweet (I like sweet, but too sweet makes me nauseous.), creamy, a bit of crunch from the nuts, and a bit of bite from the dried fruits. All in all a small simple bowl of great love. A dessert need not be complex to be this scrumptious.

Now I’m getting the Umm Ali cravings again. Waaaaah! Can somebody point me to the places where they serve the best Umm Ali in town?

The Husband says I can drown myself in Umm Ali this coming Ramadan at all the Iftar dinners we will be having. I am soooooooooooo looking forward to it :-) Drowning never looked this exciting!

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  • http://kennais.ms Kenna

    I love Umm Ali too…. that seems to be the only Middle Eastern dessert that I like though… stay away from the balls dipped in what looks like honey….

    • Didi

      @Kenna: which ones? The Gulab Jamun?

      • http://kennais.ms kenna

        I don’t know what it’s name, it’s… eeeeeeek.

        • Didi

          Maybe Lgeimat. I’ve read that it’s dunked in date syrup. Have not had the chance to try that yet. Visit blog.lgeimatjunkies.com to learn more :-)

  • http://www.iliveinafryingpan.com I Live in a Frying Pan

    Soggy cornflakes ;) …that sounds SO wrong!! hahaha…I so agree with you though, I love umm ali too, especially when it’s warm-hot. Where did you try it the first time?

    • Didi

      @ Arva: I first met (like a person! hahaha!) Umm Ali at Golden Tulip in Oman. The Husband and I went there the 1st week I was here. Then we ordered Umm Ali for dessert. Yummmm.

      I did not like Reem Al Bawadi’s Umm Ali. It had desiccated coconut on top :-( maybe just my personal preference

  • abbeyyebba

    if you visit me in abu dhabi lounge one night i’d treat you for an um ali blast! let’s have it with a cup of cappuccino maybe. you enjoy it hot, i enjoy it cold..

    • Didi

      @ abby: I will convince husband to take me to AD :) hehehe. Cold Umm Ali? Hmmmm…Basta I will letcha know agad when I am back :)

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  • Mody

    Umm Ali is an Egyptian dessert

    • http://dfordelicious.com/ Didi

      Thanks! I did learn that after the post ;p

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