Sutlach is a traditional Turkish dessert that originated in the opulent Ottoman kitchens – a sweet treat fit for a Sultan! This light, but nourishing rice pudding is still a firm favourite in Turkish homes today, enjoyed not only as a delicious dessert but also as a satisfying comfort food.

My favourite recipe is the one our Rhodesli ancestors adopted from their Turkish neighbours, made with ground rice flour, giving the dessert a gloriously creamy smooth texture. Fragrant with rose water and sprinkled with ground cinnamon, this easy to make pudding requires a little patience as it takes about 15 minutes of constant stirring over very low heat to thicken. There is a quicker alternative using corn flour, which I describe below.

I like to serve sutlach alongside fresh berries or warm poached fruit.