Ingredients:

(serves 6-8)

2/3 cup arborio rice

pinch of salt

1/3 cup sugar

3 egg yolks

1 vanilla bean, split or, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

4 cups milk

2 tsp almond extract

225 g can dark cherries (drained & cut in half), leave few for decoration

Roasted almonds for decoration

Method:

1. Bring the milk, rice and salt to a boil in a non-stick saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer on a medium with constant stirring.

2. In a bowl mix egg yolks, sugar, almond and vanilla extract to dissolve sugar. With a ladle remove about one cup of milk/rice mixture and gradually whisk it into the egg mixture.

3. Slowly pour this egg mixture into the pan by continuous stirring, then continue cooking for another 5 minutes, until its thick. Stir in the cherries and pour the pudding into a large serving bowl or individual dessert bowls.

4. Decorate with remaining cherries and roasted almonds. Chill it in the fridge before serving.