QATAR: OUM ALI

Oum Ali is also known as "Middle Eastern pudding" is a creamy dessert made with flaky pastry or croissants and soft and crunchy nuts.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Qatari, Vegetarian
Servings: 6 people
Author: Vera Abitbol

INGREDIENTS

½ lb puff pastry (or 10 butter croissants)
4 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cups of milk
3 cups creme fraiche, divided
½ cup of sugar
1 oz. almond powder
1 oz. shredded coconut
1 oz. walnuts
1 oz. pistachios, toasted
1 oz. almonds, toasted
1 oz. hazelnuts, toasted
1 oz. pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons golden raisins
2 tablespoons currants
A few dried apricots and prunes
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. Sprinkle puff pastry with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and bake for about 15 minutes.
3. Set aside to cool completely.
4. In a large bowl, coarsely chop the pastry or croissant, add the dried fruits without the almonds, making sure to keep a few for garnishing.
5. In a saucepan, put the milk, creme fraiche (2 cups), sugar and vanilla.
6. Bring to a boil over medium/high heat stirring constantly with a whisk.
7. Just before reaching the boiling point, pour in the almond powder and mix well.
8. In a baking dish or individual ramekins, pour the puff pastry (or croissants) and dried fruit mixture almost to the brim.
9. Pour the hot liquid slowly allowing time for the dough to absorb the liquid. Set aside for 15 minutes.
10. Preheat oven to 350 F.
11. Coat the top with creme fraiche.
12. Sprinkle two tablespoons of the remaining brown sugar.
13. Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.
14. Garnish with some crushed nuts (optional).

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