500g/1lb 2oz cherries, pitted
1 lemon, juice only
300g/10½oz short grain or pudding rice
100²µ/3½´Ç³ú blanched almonds, finely chopped
2 tsp arrowroot
3 tbsp caster sugar
100²µ/3½´Ç³ú caster sugar
1 vanilla pod, split
15²µ/½´Ç³ú butter
100ml/3½fl oz double cream, whipped
1½ litres/2½ pints whole milk
kirsch, to taste (optional)