How to Make Mesh Om Ali Dessert: A Detailed Guide
Mesh Om Ali is a delightful dessert that originates from the Middle East, particularly in countries like Lebanon and Syria. It is a rich, flaky pastry filled with sweetened, shredded milk or cream. If you’re looking to recreate this delicious treat at home, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process step by step, ensuring you achieve a perfect Mesh Om Ali every time.
Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Butter | 1 cup (2 sticks) |
| Flour | 2 cups |
| Sugar | 1 cup |
| Condensed milk | 1 can (14 oz) |
| Almonds | 1/2 cup, chopped |
| Egg | 1 |
| Saffron threads | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Water | 1/4 cup |
Preparation
Before you start making the pastry, it’s essential to prepare the filling. Here’s how to do it:
- In a saucepan, heat the condensed milk over medium heat until it starts to simmer.
- Stir in the chopped almonds and saffron threads, and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
Pastry Dough
Now, let’s move on to making the pastry dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together and is no longer crumbly.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Assembling the Mesh Om Ali
Once the pastry dough and filling are ready, it’s time to assemble the Mesh Om Ali:
- Preheat your oven to 350掳F (175掳C).
- On a floured surface, roll out the pastry dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
- Using a pizza cutter or a knife, cut the dough into 1-inch strips.
- Place the strips on a baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
- Using a fork, gently press the strips together to create a mesh pattern.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
Adding the Filling
After the pastry is done, it’s time to add the filling:
- Remove the pastry from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Spread the cooled condensed milk mixture over the mesh pastry.
- Using a fork, gently press the pastry strips together to create a more pronounced mesh pattern.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the filling is set and the pastry is golden brown.
Serving
Once the Mesh Om Ali is done, let it cool for a few minutes before serving. You can serve it warm or at room temperature. It’s
