Danish Risalamande with Cardamom Cherries

Having a Danish background gives me all sorts of authority over rice pudding, a traditional dessert served around the holidays in Scandinavia. Growing up, I’ve been told stories by my dad about his Danish grandmother’s rice pudding containing a single, whole almond; the lucky diner that finds the whole almond in their bowl is said to have good luck in the new year. Customarily punctuated with cherry compote (it’s not to be skipped, I’m told), I’ve done the same, with my version capitalizing