Umm Ali ( Egyptian Dessert)

Ingredients:

5-6 croissants

2- 2 1/2 cups milk

1/2 + 1/4 cup condensed milk

1/4 cup + 3 tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla essence

300 ml fresh cream

1/4 cup almond flakes

1/4 cup pistachios, sliced

1/4 cup raisins

3 tbsp shredded coconut

Preparation:

1. Cut / break the croissants into small pieces and spread it evenly in a glass dish greased with butter.
2. Sprinkle almond flakes, pistachios, raisins and shredded coconut all over ( reserve some nuts to garnish).
3. In a sauce pan, combine together milk, 1/2 cup condensed milk, 1/4 cup sugar and vanilla essence and bring to boil.
4. Reduce the flame and cook it for another 3-4 minutes stirring continuously.
5. Then remove this from flame and pour over the layer of croissants. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
6. In another bowl, add fresh cream, 1/4 cup condensed milk and 3 tbsp sugar and combine well.
7. Now spread this evenly over the soaked croissants.
8. Preheat the oven to 180 degree celcius and bake it for about 15-20 minutes, until it is slightly toasted or changes the colour.
9. Remove from the oven and top it with remaining nuts.

• You can also use bread or puff pastry instead of croissant for this dessert...

Recipe Source: Sanaa's recipe note book..