Everyday Basic Cooking on the AGA

Jacket Potato

While this is a relatively straightforward task there are a few methods to ensure your baked potato is cooked perfect every time. Don't forget to set a timer as the cooking smells from your AGA may be flued to the outside (if not internally vented).

Method 1

1. Scrub your potato well and pat it dry.
2. For a really crispy skin rub in a little olive oil.
3. Make a number of pricks into the skin using a fork to distribute the heat more evenly
4. Cook directly on a grid shelf on the third set of runners in the roasting oven (not the baking oven!)
5. Leave for 1¼ -1½ hours depending on the size of the potato.

Method 2

You can speed up the cooking time by using both the simmering plate and roasting oven. Simply par-boil the potato by placing it in a pan of boiling water, cover and cook on the simmering plate for around 10 minutes until softened. Carefully remove and dry the potato (remember it will be hot) and finish off the cooking on the third set of runners in the roasting oven for around 30 minutes or until nice and crispy!

Note: If you need to cook any more than two trays it is best to cook in two batches; the cooked potatoes will happily keep warm for a few hours in the Simmering or Warming Oven until you are ready to eat them.

Fried Eggs

How to make it...

When it comes to frying on an AGA, it doesn’t have to be high in fat and when you fry food on the AGA you can actually use less oil and cook deliciously healthy meals .Simply crack the eggs directly onto the bake-o-glide on the simmering plate, season and close the lid. Season and cook for 2 - 3 minutes to your liking

Please note: the bake-o-glide is not suitable for the boiling plate.

Flatbreads

Super quick to make. Just mix and briefly knead the dough, roll out and cook (carefully!) on the AGA boiling plate. This recipe makes 8 which can be easily halved.

Ingredients

350g strong white bread flour
250g plain yogurt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
Makes 8 - easily halved

How to make it...

1. Mix all the ingredients together into a ball. Rest for a few minutes then knead gently for 3 - 4 minutes.
2. Divide the dough into 8 pieces and roll out thinly.
3. Cook one or two at a time on the boiling plate or simmering plate. Note: they will cook very quickly on the boiling plate so be ready with tongs to carefully turn then over after less than a minute.
4. For traditional Aga’s, you may wish to lift the lid for a few minutes prior to cooking to cool the boiling plate a little before cooking. For modern Aga’s with on/off top plates,turn the boiling plate off for just a minute or two then back on again during the course of cooking a batch of these flatbreads to reduce the temperature a little. They cook just as well on the simmering plate and will be paler in colour but still golden.
5. Wrap in foil to keep warm until needed. Make ahead and chill or freeze. Defrost or reheat briefly in the roasting oven or for a 15 - 30 mins in the simmering or warming ovens.

Click on the video below for more tips for baking a delicious flatbread with Paul Hollywood on an AGA cast-iron cooker:

Note: Bought flatbreads can be reheated under foil on a baking tray in the Roasting Oven. Pitta breads and naan bread can also be heated by placing on the Simmering Plate.

Toasted Sandwiches

There is no need to use butter to make these delicious snacks. Assemble two slices of bread with a filling of your choosing - our favourite is brie, pre-cooked bacon and cranberry sauce!

Place a pre-cut circle of AGA Bake-O-Glide on the Simmering Plate and add three to four assembled sandwiches. Cook for two to three minutes until the undersides are cooked and golden, then turn over and cook the second side.

To cook for numbers, place up to 12 assembled sandwiches on a sheet of Bake-O-Glide on an AGA cold plain shelf and cook with the shelf directly on the floor of the Roasting Oven, allowing four minutes per side.

Full English Breakfast

How to make it...

1. Place a piece of Bake-O-Glide in a large AGA Roasting Tin and place halved tomatoes, the mushrooms and black pudding in the base. Place the sausages on the grill rack and place the rack over the tomatoes and mushrooms.

2. Grill the sausages at the top of the roasting oven for 12-15 minutes, turn the sausages over and add the bacon, return to the top of the roasting oven for 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile place a little fat into the half size roasting tin, lined with Bake-O-Glide, heat on the floor of the roasting oven. When the fat is hot break in the eggs and return to the floor of the oven to cook to your liking (cooking in the oven saves fat splashes on the top plate).

Variations:

Eggs In Fried Bread

1. Use the AGA Toaster on the boiling plate to toast the bread one side, cut a circle out of the centre slice of bread. Place the bread untoasted side down in the base of the hot roasting tin and break an egg into the circle. Return to the floor of the roasting oven for 3-5 minutes, depending on how well cooked you prefer the egg.

No-Fat Fried Egg For One

1. If cooking for one try the no-fat method. Place a circle of Bake-O-Glide onto the simmering plate, up to heat and break an egg into the centre. Close the simmering plate cover, this will create a microclimate to cook (but not colour) the egg from the top and the heat from the simmering plate will cook-fry the egg from underneath. Cook for 3-4 minutes or to your preference.

Fluffy Basmati Rice

Ingredients

A cup of basmati rice, approx. 150g
2 cups of water
A pinch of salt (optional)

How to make it...

1. Put the rice and water in a small pan and bring to the boil on the AGA boiling plate.
2. As soon as the water comes to the boil, put on a tight fitting lid and transfer to the simmering oven for 20 minutes.
3. Fork through the rice to ensure all the water has been absorbed, Replace the lid and cook for a few minutes longer if necessary.
4. Set aside to keep warm for up to 30 mins before serving.
5. Cooked rice can be quickly cooled and stored in the fridge for 24 hours or frozen until needed.

Click here for Penny Zako's recipe for Steamed Lemon Rice. A fragrant and delicious accompaniment for a variety of dishes. It is also a healthy option and surprisingly easy to cook on the AGA.

Not sure on how to cook something? Click here for more AGA recipes and techniques YouTube videos.