Egyptian Delights Episode 1 of 3
Egyptian Delights 2016-2017
Egyptian Traditional Desserts
The world four ancient civilizations are Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Indus valley （India）, and China as they provided the basis for continuous cultural development in the same geographic location.
The earliest discovery of desserts originated from Egypt. Over 5 thousand years ago, the ancient Egyptians prepared desserts for tributes. In 12 century, the walls of the tomb of Ramesses III exhibited paintings of baking desserts in shapes of circles, triangles, flowers or animals. Until 7-8 Century BC, Greece had steamed desserts with raisins wrapped in fig leaves . This is considered to be the origin of raisin pudding. Besides, desserts made of honey, cakes made of vegetable oil or deep fried desserts appeared.What desserts did Pharaoh and Cleopatra enjoy most? I will show them to you one by one.There are total of 3 episodes. Let you slowly digest them.
Egyptian Delight 1:Umm Ali bread pudding
Om Ali, Omali, Umm Ali, or Oumm Ali meaning "Mother of Ali", is a traditional Egyptian dessert, and is a national dessert of Egypt. There are numerous variations with different composition. The dish, which is traced back to as far as Medieval Egypt, it is named after the wife of the Sultan of Egypt, who, according to folklore, asked all Egypt's cooks and women to compete and come up with the most delicious dessert that they could create as a form of celebration. The chosen recipe was later distributed throughout the country to celebrate, and it is a national dish of Egypt and a traditional Egyptian dessert till this day. It is commonly eaten during Ramadan as part of the iftar or sunset feast.
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. Every bread pudding was distributed to citizens with a gold coin.
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.
It may be eaten hot or cold.
Since there is no egg, Umm Ali cannot be called cake, can only be called bread pudding. It tastes like English fruitcake. Umm Ali has shredded coconut but English fruitcake does not have. The latter contains rum, brandy or whisky, the former does not have alcohol. Therefore, their colours are different.
Egyptian Delights Episode 1 of 3
Egyptian Delights 2016-2017
Egyptian Traditional Desserts
The world four ancient civilizations are Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Indus valley （India）, and China as they provided the basis for continuous cultural development in the same geographic location.
The earliest discovery of desserts originated from Egypt. Over 5 thousand years ago, the ancient Egyptians prepared desserts for tributes. In 12 century, the walls of the tomb of Ramesses III exhibited paintings of baking desserts in shapes of circles, triangles, flowers or animals. Until 7-8 Century BC, Greece had steamed desserts with raisins wrapped in fig leaves . This is considered to be the origin of raisin pudding. Besides, desserts made of honey, cakes made of vegetable oil or deep fried desserts appeared.
What desserts did Pharaoh and Cleopatra enjoy most? I will show them to you one by one.
There are total of 3 episodes. Let you slowly digest them.
Egyptian Delight 1:
Umm Ali bread pudding
Om Ali, Omali, Umm Ali, or Oumm Ali meaning "Mother of Ali", is a traditional Egyptian dessert, and is a national dessert of Egypt. There are numerous variations with different composition. The dish, which is traced back to as far as Medieval Egypt, it is named after the wife of the Sultan of Egypt, who, according to folklore, asked all Egypt's cooks and women to compete and come up with the most delicious dessert that they could create as a form of celebration. The chosen recipe was later distributed throughout the country to celebrate, and it is a national dish of Egypt and a traditional Egyptian dessert till this day. It is commonly eaten during Ramadan as part of the iftar or sunset feast.
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. Every bread pudding was distributed to citizens with a gold coin.
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.
It may be eaten hot or cold.
Since there is no egg, Umm Ali cannot be called cake, can only be called bread pudding. It tastes like English fruitcake. Umm Ali has shredded coconut but English fruitcake does not have. The latter contains rum, brandy or whisky, the former does not have alcohol. Therefore, their colours are different.
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. Every bread pudding was distributed to citizens with a gold coin.
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.
It may be eaten hot or cold.
Since there is no egg, Umm Ali cannot be called cake, can only be called bread pudding. It tastes like English fruitcake. Umm Ali has shredded coconut but English fruitcake does not have. The latter contains rum, brandy or whisky, the former does not have alcohol. Therefore, their colours are different.
Egyptian Delight 2:Zalabia
Zalabia is Egyptian specific name. In the middle east such as Lebanon, it is called "Lokmat el Kadi" or "Al awama". It is popular in Egypt and Middle East region. Main ingredients are dough fried in oil. It is served with rose and lemon syrup, sprinkled with shredded coconut and sesame. It is fragrant and crispy. It tastes like Greek Loukoumades which are hollow inside, crispy outside. Sprinkle with honey and sesame to eat. It is a very popular traditional Greek dessert. It is believed that it was originated from Zalabia.
Egyptian Delight 2:
Zalabia
Zalabia is Egyptian specific name. In the middle east such as Lebanon, it is called "Lokmat el Kadi" or "Al awama". It is popular in Egypt and Middle East region. Main ingredients are dough fried in oil. It is served with rose and lemon syrup, sprinkled with shredded coconut and sesame. It is fragrant and crispy. It tastes like Greek Loukoumades which are hollow inside, crispy outside. Sprinkle with honey and sesame to eat. It is a very popular traditional Greek dessert. It is believed that it was originated from Zalabia.
Egyptian Delight 3:Fateer meshaltet
Feteer meshaltet, literally "cushioned pies" or "cushion-like pies", often simply referred to as meshaltel , is a flaky Egyptian layered pastry. It consists of many thin layers of dough and ghee and an optional filling. The fillings can be both sweet or savory. Sweet fillings may include cheese, coconut, mehalabiya, malban, Nutella or chocolate, while savory fillings can be anything from ground beef to sausage or cheese. Plain meshaltet is usually soaked in honey and spread with jam or cheese or served with olives. Because of its versatility, meshaltet is often referred to as an Egyptian pizza.
Feteer meshaltet has become an important symbol of hospitality in Egypt. Egyptian families traditionally give it as gifts to visitors and friends. It is also commonly prepared for holidays, weddings, an
Feteer meshaltet dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was known as "feteer maltoot". It was left at temples as an offering to the gods.
Fateer was spread to Europe and became new moon shaped French croissant. Fateer uses ghee but French croissant uses butter.
Egyptian Delight 3:
Fateer meshaltet
Feteer meshaltet, literally "cushioned pies" or "cushion-like pies", often simply referred to as meshaltel , is a flaky Egyptian layered pastry. It consists of many thin layers of dough and ghee and an optional filling. The fillings can be both sweet or savory. Sweet fillings may include cheese, coconut, mehalabiya, malban, Nutella or chocolate, while savory fillings can be anything from ground beef to sausage or cheese. Plain meshaltet is usually soaked in honey and spread with jam or cheese or served with olives. Because of its versatility, meshaltet is often referred to as an Egyptian pizza.
Feteer meshaltet has become an important symbol of hospitality in Egypt. Egyptian families traditionally give it as gifts to visitors and friends. It is also commonly prepared for holidays, weddings, an
Feteer meshaltet has become an important symbol of hospitality in Egypt. Egyptian families traditionally give it as gifts to visitors and friends. It is also commonly prepared for holidays, weddings, an
Feteer meshaltet dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was known as "feteer maltoot". It was left at temples as an offering to the gods.
Fateer was spread to Europe and became new moon shaped French croissant. Fateer uses ghee but French croissant uses butter.
Egyptian Delight 4:Roz Bi Laban
Roz Bi Laban is a traditional dessert in the desert, traced back to Cairo period. In Egyptian language, Roz means rice, and Laban means milk. This dessert is easy to prepare and very delicious. If middle eastern dates, pine nuts and walnuts are put on top of rice pudding, it will become more yummy. It can be served cold or hot.
Egyptian Delight 5:Qara Asali
Egyptian Delight 4:
Roz Bi Laban
Roz Bi Laban is a traditional dessert in the desert, traced back to Cairo period. In Egyptian language, Roz means rice, and Laban means milk. This dessert is easy to prepare and very delicious. If middle eastern dates, pine nuts and walnuts are put on top of rice pudding, it will become more yummy. It can be served cold or hot.
Egyptian Delight 5:
Qara Asali
Qara Asali is different from western pumpkin pie that it does not have any element of pie. This time, I used raisins, pine nuts and almonds as fillings. Top was Sweet Béchamel sauce ( a mixture of milk, flour and sugar); middle was raisins, pine nuts and almonds; bottom was pumpkin. It can be served cold or hot; but cold taste better. Cream can be added and pistachio can be used as garnish.
Qara Asali is different from western pumpkin pie that it does not have any element of pie. This time, I used raisins, pine nuts and almonds as fillings. Top was Sweet Béchamel sauce ( a mixture of milk, flour and sugar); middle was raisins, pine nuts and almonds; bottom was pumpkin. It can be served cold or hot; but cold taste better. Cream can be added and pistachio can be used as garnish.
Next, Egyptian Delights Episode 2 of 3
Coming soon: Year of the Dragon Delights 2024
Publisher： Chef Kar Delight
Next, Egyptian Delights Episode 2 of 3
Coming soon: Year of the Dragon Delights 2024
Publisher： Chef Kar Delight
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