Owner's Manual

AGA BASIC RECIPES
These are some fundamental recipes and methods to complement your first AGA cooking ventures. The real basics to get you started and used
to using your AGA Total Control cooker. Relax, enjoy and then try some of our ideas in the Recipe section of this handbook.
AGA Toast
AGA toast is renowned for its excellence, crisp on the outside and
soft in the center. Take thick slices of bread and place in the AGA
toaster – if the bread is very moist or very fresh, heat the toaster
beforehand to prevent sticking – lift the boiling plate insulated cover
and place the toaster direct onto the plate with the handle at an
angle from the handle of the cover. Close the cover and wait for the
bread to toast one side – this will take 1-2 minutes dependent upon
the variety of bread – open the cover and turn the toaster over and
repeat the process to toast the other side.
Serve piping hot with butter and marmalade. A great start to
the day!
Steaming Vegetables
Steaming of root vegetables can take place either on the hotplates
using a steamer over an AGA saucepan, alternatively if you have the
slow cook oven, (or any oven at Slumber), switched on then you can
oven steam the root vegetables. Oven steaming means saucepans
of root vegetables can be started on the hotplates, using a small
amount of water, brought to the boil for 3-5 minutes, the water
drained and the saucepan lid replaced. Put on the floor grid in the
simmering oven for 20 -30 minutes until tender. 6-8 saucepans can
be accommodated in the slow cook oven, leaving the hotplates free
for 6 more!
Green vegetables benefit from quick boiling on the boiling plate to
keep their vibrant colour, or you can steam them over boiling water.
Quick White Sauce
This is a coating sauce and can be used in a pasta bake, on its own
or flavoured to accompany vegetables. For a pouring sauce reduce
the quantities of butter and flour to 1
1
/2 oz retaining the same amount
of milk.
Makes (1 pint)
2 oz butter
2 oz plain flour
3/4 pint milk
Salt and white pepper
Place all the ingredients into a saucepan.
AGA hotplate cooking: Place on the simmering plate and use a
silicone whisk to whisk continuously until the sauce has come to the
boil and thickened. Cook for 2 minutes, still whisking, check the
seasoning and use as required – for example over broad beans,
steamed baby beetroot, Jerusalem artichokes.
Variations
Cheese sauce
Whisk in 1 tsp mustard and 2 oz well-flavoured cheese.
Parsley sauce
Whisk in 3 tbsp chopped parsley, serve at once with cooked
ham or fish.
Béchamel sauce
Before making the sauce infuse the milk to flavor it with a quartered,
peeled onion and a bay leaf, discard these and continue as above.
Boiling a kettle
When the boiling plate is switched on then it’s time for tea!
The AGA kettles are especially designed for maximum performance
on your cast iron hotplates, the kettle will boil quickly on the hot
boiling plate - if you have just turned on the boiling plate obviously it
will take longer to boil! Always use fresh water, just enough in the
kettle for your requirements and it’s a good habit to always leave the
kettle empty to minimise the build up of limescale.
Place the kettle onto the boiling plate, giving it a slight twist as you
do so to ensure a perfect contact. Also check the hotplates are clear
of any burnt on spills or crumbs - just brush over the cast iron with
the wire brush, supplied with your new AGA Total Control. Pointing
the spout towards the lid lining will help keep it clean, as the steam
can loosen splashes. Give the lining a quick wipe over after removing
the kettle.
26