Latest news with #OmAli
Khaleej Times
18-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
'We seek justice': All branches of dessert chain Blaban shut down in Egypt; 25,000 staff in limbo
Egyptian desserts chain Blaban announced on Friday that all its branches in Egypt have been shut down, citing what it called an "unprecedented crisis" and expressing readiness for inspection. "All operations of Blaban Company have completely ceased within the Arab Republic of Egypt. All 110 of our branches have been shut down, along with our factories and affiliated facilities, which together employed 25,000 Egyptians," the company said in an open letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, the Cabinet and concerned state authorities. "We have not been granted clarity regarding the reasons behind these measures or the mechanisms for resolution, leaving the company and its employees in a state of total paralysis," it added. The company also said that any halt in its domestic activity not only affects the local market but also immediately disrupts its international operations and jeopardises its regional presence in Arab markets. "All our operations in Arab countries depend on management and execution based in Egypt." Beside Egypt, Blaban operates in Saudi, UAE, Morocco, Libya, Jordan, Oman and Qatar. Last month, the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing issued a statement announcing the temporary closure of Blaban branches. The statement followed reports from several media outlets and social media accounts claiming that authorities shut down the branches due to a large number of food poisoning cases linked to its products. "We clearly and openly declare our full readiness to undergo all forms of inspection, auditing, and accountability," Blaban said in its statement. "We welcome any committee, oversight body, or legal procedure from the state." The company also said that it is not seeking any special treatment, nor is it requesting exemption from oversight or accountability. "We only seek protection, verification, and justice." "We affirm that we do not claim to be without fault and acknowledge that any large-scale operation may make mistakes. But we are always ready to review, correct, and improve." The company also appealed to Sisi and Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli "to intervene swiftly to protect a national enterprise that was born in this country, serves its people, and proudly carries its name abroad," the company added in the letter. Established in 2021 in Alexandria, Egypt, Blaban says that it began as a small factory specialising in traditional Egyptian desserts such as rice pudding, couscous, Om Ali, and ice cream.
BBC News
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Om Ali: An 'unforgettable' sweet with a sinister history
Alamy As millions of people break their Ramadan fast, many believers around the world reach for a wildly popular dish tied to an unbelievable legend. On a hot and sultry August evening in 2011, I sat at a table in my favourite restaurant in Kuwait City, facing the calm waters of the Persian Gulf, waiting for my iftar platter to arrive. The elaborate meal – consisting of fresh juices, stuffed dates, vegetable samosas, lamb pilaf, shish tawook (a marinated chicken kebab), local bread, coffee and desserts – was delicious. Yet, what still lingers on my tongue and in my mind more than a decade later isn't the delightful crunch of the samosa or the sapid juiciness of the shish tawook but the sweet taste of Om Ali, a simple-but-flavourful Egyptian dessert with a surprisingly dark history. Flash forward to 2025 and I'm standing in a small confectionery store in downtown Cairo, sharing another bowl of Om Ali, this time with my 12-year-old son, and I still can't stop drooling over the dish, despite having tried it in every Middle Eastern city I've visited during the last 14 years. Soumya Gayatri "A good bowl of Om Ali is unforgettable," says Nermine Mansour, a former Egyptian diplomat-turned-food writer and founder of the food blog, Chez Nermine. "It is the perfect balance of flavours, textures and nutrition – the star of Egyptian cuisine," she adds. Om Ali (also known as Umm Ali or Oum Ali) is a decadent bread pudding made from spice-infused milk, puff pastry, roasted nuts and sugar. Traditionally baked in a deep clay dish for about 20-25 minutes, it has a crunchy, caramelised coating at the top and a silky, creamy layer at the bottom, giving the dessert a unique texture. According to Mansour, the creaminess of the milk, the juiciness of the soaked puff pastry, the crunch from the nuts and the sweet earthiness lent by the clay pot come together to give Om Ali a rare appeal, making it one of the most popular desserts in Egypt. Where to find Om Ali Although Om Ali is available at all major cafes and bakeries in Egypt throughout the year, the variety and volume are staggering during Ramadan. Some of the best places to sample authentic Om Ali in Cairo are El Malky, Simonds Bakery & Café and Nola Bakery. Om Ali is also a favourite across the Middle East, particularly during Ramadan and Eid celebrations when dessert consumption skyrockets. Earlier this year, B Laban, one of the fastest-growing Middle Eastern dessert companies, posted a video of Om Ali on Instagram and thousands of people quickly swooned over it. "I get why Om Ali is so popular. It is affordable, easy to digest and can be prepared quickly using ingredients available at home, making it equally accessible to the rich and the poor," says Moustafa Omran, an Egyptologist and my local tour guide in Cairo. "Despite the fame of this dish, a question always lingers in the minds of [Om Ali] lovers: who is Ali and who is his mother, after whom this dish is named?" Omran points out, drawing my attention to the dessert's name. Alamy With my mouth stuffed with soaked puff pastry and my mind going nuts over the creaming pudding at El Malky, one of the most famous dessert chains serving Om Ali in Cairo, I cannot help but agree. Om Ali, which means "Mother of Ali" in Arabic, is an admittedly unusual name for a dessert. Yet, what's even more unusual, as many Egyptians tell me, is that it is rumoured to be named after a murderer. Om Ali was the first wife of the first sultan of the Mamluk dynasty, which ruled Egypt from the mid-13th to early 16th Centuries. In 1250, her then-husband, Izz Al-Din Aybak overthrew the Ayyubid dynasty and established the Mamluk reign in Egypt, marrying Shajar Al-Durr, the last Ayyubid queen, to solidify his rule. The marriage was merely a political union and Al-Durr had frequent disagreements with Aybak before finally deciding to murder him as he took a bath. In a bizarre turn of events, Om Ali decided to avenge her husband's death by beating Al-Durr to death with wooden clogs. After killing Al-Durr, Om Ali instructed her cook to bake something special to commemorate her success and the eponymous dessert was allegedly born and named in her honour. Alamy As surprised as I am to learn that Om Ali's origins may be rooted in murder and betrayal, deeper research reveals that the dish's origins are even more complex, and still baffle historians. "There are no historical records that tell us if the dessert Om Ali is connected to the murder of Al-Durr," says Dr Mennat-Allah El Dorry, a food historian at the American University in Cairo. "Although we know for sure that Queen Om Ali killed Al-Durr, we do not have any concrete evidence linking the dessert to the murder… I have absolutely no idea how the narrative came about and how the dessert got its name." World's Table World's Table"smashes the kitchen ceiling" by changing the way the world thinks about food, through the past, present and future. Further, the oldest recorded recipe for Om Ali comes from a more recent 19th-Century Arabic cookbook titled Kitāb nasị̄hạt al-anām fī hụsn al-tạʻām, which adds another layer of mystery to the dish's origins and nomenclature. Yet, according to Mansour, the 13th-Century Om Ali narrative may hold some truth. "Egyptians have eaten a thin phyllo bread called roqaq since ancient times," she says. According to the book The Pharaoh's Kitchen by Magda Mehdawy and Amr Hussein, roqaq has been a staple at Nubian banquets since the 3rd Century BCE. "So, it is quite possible that Om Ali's cook used the leftover roqaq in the palace and baked it with milk and nuts to create the iconic dessert that we all love today." Alamy Despite the dessert's muddled origins, its connection to the killer of Al-Durr live on in Egyptian popular culture. Today, the name Om Ali is synonymous with good triumphing over evil – in this case, the unjust queen. "We love it because of its association with the story of the victory of justice over injustice," says Omran. "Also, we [Egyptians] love stories; therefore, this dish has gained immense popularity," he explains. The legend continues to endure in social media, food blogs and television, such as the 2004 popular drama series Abbas Al Abiad Fi Al Yawm Al Aswad, in which famous Egyptian actor Yehia El-Fakharany recounts the legend of Om Ali to his onscreen family. The popularity of Om Ali swells during Ramadan, as sugar-based desserts take centre stage in iftar meals around the globe, providing instant nourishment to a fasting body that has run out of glucose. "In addition to sugar, Om Ali contains protein and calcium from milk, vitamins and fibre from nuts, and carbohydrates from bread," Mansour points out. "That's why, [Om Ali] is a guilty pleasure you can easily justify. It feels like a warm hug in a clay pot filled with goodness," she adds. (A calorie analysis reveals that Om Ali has fewer calories compared to other Middle Eastern desserts like kunefe and baklava.) Besides, Om Ali is an easy dessert to make. "It requires only simple ingredients found in every Egyptian kitchen," Mansour adds. Depending on the size of the iftar parties, this dish can be scaled up or down, making it a favourite among chefs and home cooks during Ramadan and Eid. Alamy Om Ali holds a special place in Egyptian cuisine because it is simple, nutritious and evokes feelings of warmth and goodness. "The creaminess of the pudding, the crunch of roasted nuts and the story of the victory of good over bad – a bowl of Om Ali just feels right and makes me happy after a long day of fasting," says Omran. -- If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features, videos and can't-miss news, delivered to your inbox twice a week. For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. World's Table Food Heritage Features
Jordan News
27-03-2025
- General
- Jordan News
"Om Ali".. A Dessert That Shines Brighter During Ramadan - Jordan News
"Om Ali".. A Dessert That Shines Brighter During Ramadan While Qatayef dominates as the most popular Ramadan dessert, receiving great attention from many, there is another sweet dish that has its own significant place and presence during the nights of the holy month of Ramadan: Om Ali. This dessert is a constant companion for sweet lovers throughout the year. اضافة اعلان There is a unique reason behind the naming of Om Ali. She was the second wife of King Az-Zahir Ibaq, who was married to Shajarat al-Durr in a strategic move to establish a male ruler for the country, as the people refused to accept a woman in power. Shajarat al-Durr continued to rule the country under the guise of her husband until she killed him. This is when his second wife, Om Ali, appeared, seeking revenge for her husband and child. She plotted her revenge against Shajarat al-Durr, beating her to death with sandals. Following the murder of Shajarat al-Durr, Om Ali made a dish from flour, sugar, ghee, and dough sheets and distributed it among the people to celebrate Shajarat al-Durr's death. This is where the dish got its name, Om Ali. How to Prepare the "Om Ali" Dessert: Ingredients: 8 tablespoons of powdered milk 500 grams of puff pastry dough 1 cup of sugar 6.5 cups of water 180 grams of butter 1.5 cans of cream 1/4 cup of cashews 1/4 cup of peeled almonds, halved 1/4 cup of peeled pine nuts 1/4 cup of peeled pistachios Preparation Method: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Roll out the puff pastry dough, flatten it, and cut it into medium-sized cubes. Place the puff pastry pieces on a baking tray for 30 minutes, until they turn golden brown. Remove the tray from the oven and allow the pieces to cool slightly. In another baking tray, place the cashews, almonds, pine nuts, and pistachios, and toast them in the oven until their color changes. Remove them and set aside. In a bowl, dissolve the powdered milk in water. In a saucepan, add the dissolved milk, cream, sugar, and butter. Stir the mixture over low heat until it boils, then remove from heat. In a Pyrex dish, layer the toasted nuts followed by a layer of the puff pastry cubes. Pour the cream mixture over the puff pastry and nuts. Place the Pyrex dish back in the oven until the mixture thickens slightly. The dessert is now ready to serve. Optionally, you can garnish the top of the dish with more nuts for decoration. This delightful dessert is perfect for Ramadan gatherings, offering both delicious taste and a rich historical background.
CairoScene
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Zooba Invites ‘Abu Ali' and ‘Ali Nafso' to the Ramadan 2025 Table
After all, Om Ali was getting a little lonely. Mar 05, 2025 Ramadan is a month of gathering, and no one honours this quite like Zooba. You see, this year, Zooba gave one of our favourite Iftar guests quite the surprise; they invited her husband and son to come along. Introducing two new 'Om Ali' variations; 'Abu Ali' and 'Ali Nafso', Zooba is joining in on the 'Efetkasat' movement. But what exactly are 'Abu Ali' and 'Ali Nafso'? Well, it seems Abu Ali has an affinity for Karak, whereas Ali Nafso's sweet tooth could only be satiated with 'Rahash', or in other words, 'halawa.' Essentially two variations of Om Ali with a twist, the new desserts at Zooba are available in Zooba's Zamalek, City Stars, Madinaty & KODE Sporting Club branches in Cairo.
CairoScene
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
The Tumultuous History of Egypt's Om Ali
The Tumultuous History of Egypt's Om Ali Here's how acclaimed actor Yehia El Fakharani taught me everything I needed to know about a dish born of power, revenge, and history. My relationship with Om Ali began in my hometown of Alexandria, sometime in 2012. That year, my friend Sherif had just shown everyone in class a video about the world ending that month—something to do with a foretold Mayan prophecy. Not long after, we were sent home early from school, told to stay inside because of reports of an incoming storm. The internet had flatlined—short-circuited by the storm, they said. Rumors spread like wildfire on the school bus. Tornadoes tearing through Agami. The sea swallowing the beachfront cafés in Roshdy. Rain pushing wild animals out of the desert and onto the streets of Sidi Bishr. None of it mattered whether it was true or not. Truth, after all, wasn't ours to claim, and we weren't interested in it anyway. Too young to be rational, but just wise enough to know that spreading chaos on a bus in the middle of a storm was far more thrilling than the truth could ever be. By the time I got home, the rain had stopped, and the house was eerily quiet. The only sound was Gedo's old Toshiba CRT TV, flickering on with a rerun of Abas El Abyad Fel Youm El Eswed. It seemed the Mayans had miscalculated. Yehia El Fakharani's face filled the screen, a large bowl of Om Ali cradled in his hands as he gathered his on-screen family to tell the story behind the dish. I was transfixed, hanging on every word as the El Keif actor shifted his gaze from Magda Zaki to Nihal Anbar, enlightening them with the history of Om Ali. There was something almost sacred in the way he spoke of it. It felt as though my skin was ready to peel away, revealing a wandering shepherd from ancient Greece listening to Plato's Allegory of the Cave for the first time while grazing his flock in fading light. Yehia El Fakharani, through his tale of Om Ali, was leading me toward the light. Now, legend has it that there are countless versions of this story, but they all share a few key ingredients: - Bloodshed - Treachery - War - Death - Power struggles The most popular version dates back to the 1240s and involves Shagaret El Dorr, Egypt's only woman ruler. After the death of her husband, Sultan As-Salih Ayyub, Shagaret El Dorr feared Egypt would become an easy target for Louis IX of France and the Crusaders. A leaderless country was an open invitation. So, with the help of Egypt's army commander and the palace's chief eunuch, she kept her husband's death a secret, quietly sending his body by boat to Rudah Island in the Nile. No royal funeral, no grand announcements—just a discreet burial and an elaborate charade of business as usual. But secrets never last long. The Crusaders soon caught wind of Sultan Ayyub's death and launched an attack. Shagaret El Dorr's army, however, was prepared and trapped them before they could gain the upper hand. To solidify her rule, Shagaret El Dorr declared herself al-Malikah Ismat al-Din Umm Khalil, taking on titles like "Queen of the Muslims" and "Mother of al-Malik al-Mansur Khalil." Her name echoed in Friday prayers, but despite her efforts, the men of the country rebelled. The throne slipped from her grasp. Enter Ezz El Din Aybak, who seized power as Egypt's first Mamluk sultan. Shagaret El Dorr, unwilling to fade into obscurity, married him to secure her influence. Along the way, she ensured his other wife would never see him again. And who was that other wife, you ask? You guessed it—Om Ali. Things spiraled when Shagaret El Dorr discovered Aybak's plans to marry yet another woman. She acted swiftly, making sure he wouldn't be around to follow through. But her scheme unraveled when a few nosy maids exposed the truth. In the end, Om Ali had the last word. Shagaret El Dorr was beaten to death with slippers by her bondmaids in the hammam, and to celebrate her rival's demise, Om Ali created the dish that would bear her name. Seven centuries later, Yehia El Fakharani would cradle that very dish on Dream TV, recounting its bloody origins with the same reverence that had me transfixed all those years ago.
