This sweet, creamy rice based desert has many different names across many different continents, but in Albania it is known simply as sultjash or sometimes tameloriz.

Simple to make with low cost ingredients and mouth-watering results, sultjash is the perfect end to a homecooked meal on a winters evening. So how to make this classic dish with an Albanian twist? 

Ingredients

• 1.4 l milk (you can use part cream if you want)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup short grain rice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
• Cinnamon and walnuts to add on top

Method

1. Place a big and deep pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add milk and rice and bring to a boil.
3. Lower the heat to low and let it cook slowly until it gets thick and creamy, around 40 – 45 minutes.
4. Add sugar, vanilla, and cardamom and mix very well.
5. Let it cook for another 5-10 minutes.
6. Divided it in serving bowls and let it cool completely before putting it in the fridge.
7. Enjoy straight from the fridge with cinnamon and walnuts on top.

You can play around with ingredients; use cream or condensed milk, add saffron or other spices to the mix, or even top with dried fruit or chocolate chips- the choice is yours!