Notes

Omm Ali means "Mother of Ali". This dish has some unsavory history.

In Arab countries, it is customary to call a person as "Father of ..." and then the name of the eldest son. Omm Ali was the wife of a ruler from the Ayyubid dynasty. Her rival Shagaret El Dorr (Tree of Pearls) was the second wife of that ruler. After his death, Shagaret El Dorr arranged for Om Ali to be murdered by her servants, and to celebrate, she distributed bread with milk and honey.

Shagaret El Dorr ruled Egypt for some time in the name of her husband, and would later die in a conspiracy too.

This became a dish known as Om Ali.

Servings

Preparation Time

Ingredients

• 1/4 kg. Fillo Pastry sheets.
• 1/4 kg. sugar.
• 1 1/2 kg. milk.
• 1 cup ghee or butter
• Nuts & raisins.

Cooking Instructions

• Cut and shape the fillo pastry sheets into pieces, then deep fry one after another lifting it right away.
  
• Place it on an absorbing napkin to remove extra grease.
  
• Put half the quantity of fillo pastry sheets in a baking pan, then add the nuts and raisins.
  
• Cover with the remaining fillo pastry sheets.
  
• Heat the milk and add sugar, then pour it on top of the baking pan until the pastry absorbs it.
  
• Leave for 1/4 an hour approx, then put in oven on medium heat till surface is golden brown.
  
• Optionally add milk before removing pan out of the oven.