Nana Nelson's Danish Rice Pudding

1 quart milk
1 cup rice
1/4 tsp salt
3 1/2 Tbsp sugar
1 bag slivered almonds (optional)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 pint heavy cream
Bring milk and rice to a gentle boil for 25 minutes. Put into chilled dish, add salt , sugar, almonds and vanilla mix and refridgerate. Just before serving whip cream and sweeten to taste, fold in rice mixture, top with cherry pie filling. I enjoy it plain and without the almonds also.