Vanilla Bean Rice Pudding with Tart Cherries

Name: Vanilla Bean Rice Pudding with Tart Cherries
Ingredients: 1/3 cup and 2 tablespoons jasmine rice; 4 cups 4 cups of whole or 2% milk (do not go less than that in terms of fat); 1/3 cup maple syrup; pinch of salt; 1/2 cup one vanilla bean, seeds scraped out; 1 and 1/2 cup frozen montmorency tart cherries, thawed; 3 tablespoon of tart cherry juice from thawing; 1/3 cup honey; 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper; 3 tablespoon water; 1 tablespoon tapioca starch (or cornstarch); 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper