A bowl of warm oats on a cold winter’s morning is food for the heart, but a nourishing warm pear gingerbread oatmeal smoothie is food for the body.

SERVES 4 // COOKING TIME 20 min

INGREDIENTS
4 cups milk
⅔  cup oats
1½ pears, chopped
1 banana, chopped
1½ tbsp nut butter
1½ tbsp honey
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp vanilla essence
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground allspice

METHOD
1. In a pot, heat 3 cups milk until just before boiling. Remove from the heat, then add oats and cover. Soak for 10 minutes.
2. Blend the rest of the ingredients, with the remaining cup of milk, until smooth. Add the soaked oats and pulse again.
3. Pour into glasses and enjoy.

Recipe & styling: Kate Turner
Photography: Sean Dollery // HMimages.co.za

Still love some good old fashioned oats? Try our oat breakfast bake with honey and berries.