Mastering the Art of AGA Cooking: Tips and Recipes for Beginners

We know that getting to grips with an Aga cooker can feel like a learning curve at first, but once you understand how to cook using an Aga cooker, you’ll never look back!

Cooking with an Aga cooker isn’t just about making delicious food – it’s an experience. The radiant heat, the simplicity of use, and the versatility of the ovens and hotplates make it a joy to cook with. Whether you’ve recently acquired an Aga cooker or you’re just getting started, this guide will help you maximise its potential with practical tips and a few simple recipes to get you started.

Why Cooking with an Aga Cooker is Different

Unlike conventional ovens that rely on direct heat, an Aga cooker works by emitting radiant heat through its cast iron shell. This means that food is cooked evenly, retaining moisture and flavour while avoiding the harsh, drying effect of fan ovens. The Aga cooker is always on (or can be switched on when needed in newer models), providing a constant source of heat for cooking, warming, and even drying.

Understanding Your Aga Cookers Features

The beauty of an Aga cooker lies in its simplicity, but knowing how to use each part effectively is key:

Boiling Plate: The hottest part of the Aga cooker, perfect for quickly bringing water to a boil, searing meats, or making stir-fries.

Simmering Plate: Provides a gentler heat, ideal for melting chocolate, making sauces, or cooking delicate dishes like scrambled eggs.

Roasting Oven: High temperature and full of radiant heat, making it perfect for roasting meats, baking bread, and crisping up dishes.

Baking Oven: A moderate temperature that’s excellent for cakes, cookies, pastries, and other baked goods.

Simmering Oven: A low, steady heat that’s perfect for slow cooking stews, casseroles, and soups.

Warming Oven (if applicable): Keeps food warm without overcooking and is great for proving bread or plate warming.

Warming Plate (if applicable): Ideal for warming food before serving

Getting Started: Essential Aga Cookers Cooking Tips

If you’re new to Aga cooker cooking, here are some tips to help you get the most out of it:

• Use the Right Oven for the Right Dish: Understanding the temperature levels of each oven ensures perfect cooking results.
• Adjust Cooking Times Accordingly: The radiant heat of an Aga cooker means food cooks differently – sometimes faster, sometimes slower – so keep an eye on your dishes at first.
• Make the Most of Residual Heat: Unlike conventional ovens that cool rapidly, an Aga cooker retains heat. Use this to your advantage for warming plates, slow-cooking dishes overnight, or even drying herbs.
• Invest in Aga cooker Cookware: Heavy-based pans and cast iron work best for heat retention and even cooking.
• Embrace Multi-Level Cooking: With the Aga cooker, you can cook multiple dishes at the same time in different ovens without flavour transfer.

Simple Aga Cooker Recipes for Beginners:

To help you get started, here are a few easy recipes tailored for Aga cooking.

1. Classic AGA Roast Chicken

Roasting in an Aga cooker is effortless and results in the juiciest, most flavourful chicken.

Ingredients:

1 whole free-range chicken

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper

1 lemon, halved

A few sprigs of rosemary and thyme

2 garlic cloves, crushed

Method:

Preheat the roasting oven.

Rub the chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Stuff the cavity with lemon halves, herbs, and garlic.

Place the chicken on a roasting rack inside a roasting tin and cook in the roasting oven for about 1 hour 15 minutes (adjusting for size), basting halfway through.

Check for doneness by ensuring the juices run clear when pierced.

Rest for 10 minutes before serving.

2. Aga Cooker Baked Bread

Using the steady heat of the baking oven, this simple bread recipe is a great introduction to baking with an Aga cooker.

Ingredients:

500g strong white bread flour

1 sachet (7g) fast-action yeast

1 tsp salt

300ml warm water

1 tbsp olive oil

Method:

Mix the flour, yeast, and salt in a bowl.

Gradually add water and olive oil, mixing until a dough forms.

Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Leave to rise in a warm spot for 1 hour.

Shape the dough and place it in a floured baking tin.

Bake in the baking oven for 30 minutes or until golden.

3. Slow-Cooked Aga Cooker Beef Stew

Perfect for the simmering oven, this stew is rich, hearty, and effortlessly cooked.

Ingredients:

500g stewing beef, diced

2 tbsp flour

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, sliced

2 potatoes, cubed

500ml beef stock

1 tbsp tomato purée

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Coat the beef in flour and brown on the boiling plate.

Transfer to a casserole dish, adding all other ingredients.

Cover and cook in the simmering oven for 4-6 hours.

Stir occasionally and adjust seasoning as needed.

Embracing Aga Cooker Cooking

Mastering the art of Aga cooker cooking takes time, but once you understand, it becomes second nature. Whether you’re baking, roasting, or simmering, the Aga cooker becomes the heart of your kitchen, making every meal feel a little more special.

If you’re new to the world of Aga cooker cooking, embrace the journey. Experiment with recipes, learn from experience, and most of all – enjoy the process. Happy cooking!

Ready to master the art of Aga cooking? Take a look at our range of reconditioned Aga cookers.