Spiced Pear Oatmeal

Ingredients

1 tablespoon coconut oil, or butter 
4 cardamom pods, smashed
1 pound of pears, diced into ½-inch cubes  
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
1 (13.5-ounce) can lite coconut milk
5 cups water
2 cup rolled oats
¼ cup chia seeds
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar, plus more to taste 
Sweetened coconut flakes 

Directions

1. Heat coconut oil in a stock pot over medium heat for 1 minute. Add cardamom pods and sauté for 30 seconds. Then add chopped pears, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt, stir thoroughly, cover and cook for 5 minutes, until the pears are softened. Reserve a quarter of the cooked pears and set aside for topping. 

2. Add the coconut milk and water to the pot, stir to combine then add the oats, and chia seeds. Bring the mixture to a boil.

3. Then, lower the heat to a simmer and cook the oatmeal for about 20 minutes until the oats have thickened and absorbed all the liquid. Stir the bottom of the pot every 5 minutes to ensure the oatmeal does not stick to the bottom. Adjust consistency with additional water if desired. Stir in the brown sugar. Serve with the reserved cooked pears and coconut flakes if desired. 

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Quick Tips

• Pears are a good source of fiber, copper and Vitamin C. 

• This recipe works well with apples, quince or pineapples. 

• Pear skin is a rich source of antioxidants that may improve heart health and prevent cancer.