Pear Marsala Oatmeal

I've been exploring unusual oatmeals lately, mostly working with savory ingredients, but I had a pear that was dreadfully wounded in the trip home...and so I chose to sacrifice it to the greater good before its mangled and languishing form attracted fruit flies. We made Chicken Marsala a few nights ago, and so had masala wine just sitting around...and I'd just read a recipe on poaching pears in said substance. The following followed.

Ingredients: (measurements are approximate, I make oatmeal by feel)
most of one pear, skinned and cored
1/3 c. Marsala wine.
1/3 c. water to start, add more as needed
1/4 c. hearty oatmeal or other hot cereal
a healthy pinch of cinnamon
a knob of grated fresh ginger (dry will suffice if needed)
sea salt
slivered almonds (optional)
honey or brown sugar (optional)
1 tsp butter (optional)
dash of cayenne pepper (optional)
milk, yogurt or soy milk (optional)

1. simmer pear in Marsala until very soft then add water and bring to a boil.

2. add oatmeal, spices, ginger and butter (if desired) and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally and watch water absorption of oats adding more water if needed. (I like mine to still have a little bite to them and so don't add a lot of water or they become more of a porridge)

3. both sweeteners and milk product may be added during the cooking process or after.

4. garnish with slivered almonds and remaining desired ingredients.