Chai Baked Oatmeal

• Chai baked oatmeal
• 2 1/2 cups milk - I prefer whole milk (nondairy substitutes work as well)
• 2 tablespoons your favorite loose leaf chai blend (I like this recipe from The Kitchn: http://www.thekitchn.com...)
• 2 1/4 cups old fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans (optional)
• 1/3 cup maple syrup (preferably grade B for its stronger flavor)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• maple pears for serving (see below)
• Maple pears
• 2-3 large pears - I've been into red comice pears lately
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup

1. Heat your oven to 350F and butter a 9X13" (or similarly sized) baking dish. Combine the milk and the chai in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and allow to steep, covered, for 5 minutes. Strain into a large mixing bowl.
2. In another bowl combine the oats, salt, baking powder, and pecans (if using).
3. Whisk the eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla into the spiced milk. Mix the wet and dry ingredients together then scrape into the prepared baking dish. Bake until golden and set, about 40-45 minutes.
4. When the oatmeal is done, drizzle it with the melted butter and serve with the maple pears (it would also be good with a variety of other fruits or berries). It also keeps well and reheats nicely for a few days.
5. Core the pears and thinly slice them. Heat the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat and when it's foaming, stir in the pears.
6. Saute the pear slices until they are starting to soften, 3-5 minutes, then add the maple syrup, stir and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring to coat the pears. Serve warm atop the baked oatmeal.

oatmeal, milk, your favorite, rolled oats, salt, baking powder, pecans, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla, butter, maple, maple, butter, maple syrup

Taken from food52.com/recipes/26447-chai-baked-oatmeal (may not work)