where am I?
How do I adapt my regular recipes for the aga?
Answer
Dear Andi
Good news - you can use all your favourite recipe books. Just look for the cooking method for a similar dish in the Aga book and follow that. Once you have mastered the following principles you will find it easy to make conversions:
Cooking on the floor of the top oven for pie crusts and frying
Grilling at the top of the top oven
Starting something off to get it hot elsewhere in or on the Aga and then cooking slowly in the simmering oven
Overnight slow cooking in the warming oven
Using the simmering plate as a griddle
How to use the cold plain shelf to shield the browning effect from the top of the top oven when necessary
Keep reading and re-reading the TEN GOLDEN RULES at the back of the Aga Book plus the Handy Cooking Chart on the page before it.
As a rule of thumb, if in doubt, try cooking something on the grid shelf on the floor of the top oven and add the cold plain shelf above if it starts to brown before the centre has a chance to cook thoroughly, if the food mass is quite dense.
As well as the complete range of Aga cookbooks offered in the Aga Shops, Lady Claire McDonald`s excellent books give Aga oven position and timings.
Good Luck!
Best Wishes
Richard
THE AGA COOKERY DOCTOR
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