Umm Ali - Egyptian Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 6 sheets of puff pastry 6 sheets of puff pastry
• 1/2 cup (100g) almonds, chopped 1/2 cup (100g) almonds, chopped
• 1/2 cup (100g) pistachios, chopped 1/2 cup (100g) pistachios, chopped
• 4 cups (1 liter) whole milk 4 cups (1 liter) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
• Powdered sugar, for garnish Powdered sugar, for garnish
• Toasted nuts, for garnish Toasted nuts, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1885 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 30g
• Protein: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   Cut the puff pastry sheets into small squares and place them in a baking dish.
3. 3.
   Sprinkle the chopped almonds and pistachios over the puff pastry.
4. 4.
   In a saucepan, heat the milk, sugar, and vanilla extract over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. Remove from heat.
5. 5.
   Pour the milk mixture over the puff pastry and nuts, ensuring that all the pastry is soaked.
6. 6.
   Drizzle the heavy cream over the top.
7. 7.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
8. 8.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
9. 9.
   Garnish with powdered sugar and toasted nuts before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Puff pastry — Ensure that the puff pastry is thawed before cutting it into squares to make it easier to handle and prevent it from tearing.
• Almonds and pistachios — Toast the nuts lightly before chopping them to enhance their flavor and add a pleasant crunch to the dish.

Tips & Tricks

• For a twist, you can add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of rose water to the milk mixture for an extra layer of flavor.
• If you prefer a richer dessert, you can substitute half of the milk with heavy cream.
• Serve Umm Ali warm for the best taste and texture.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed cold the next day.

Serving advice

Umm Ali is best served warm, straight from the oven. Scoop it into individual bowls or plates and garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar and a handful of toasted nuts. Serve it as a delightful dessert after a hearty Egyptian meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of Umm Ali, you can sprinkle some additional chopped nuts on top of the powdered sugar for an extra pop of color and texture. Serve it in elegant dessert bowls or plates to showcase the layers of pastry and nuts.