AGA Cookery Doctor Tips

Our AGA tips can be found in these handy little books by Richard Maggs:

• The Little Book of AGA Christmas Tips
• The Little Book of AGA Tips
  
• The Little Book of AGA Tips 2
  
• The Little Book of AGA Tips 3
  

1. To revive a stale loaf of bread, cut off and discard the end slice, hold the loaf cut side down for a few moments under a running cold tap, and place the loaf in the roasting oven for four minutes.
2. Invest in a good AGA kettle. It will boil more quickly than most electric kettles and saves money by using the AGA's stored heat. And, if you place the spout facing the hotplate lid the steam will help keep it clean. Just an occasional wipe will keep it pristine.
3. Place a lemon in the roasting oven for three minutes before squeezing to extract the most juice. Organic lemons give a far superior flavour and are worth the extra cost.
4. Popcorn can be popped quite simply on a piece of Bake-O-Glide on the simmering plate, with the lid down. Only pop one tablespoon at a time!
5. Toasted sandwiches can be made most successfully cooked slowly direct on the simmering plate. Bake-O-Glide may be used but is not essential. Lower the lid and allow 3-4 minutes each side.
6. Poppadums can be cooked directly on the boiling plate with the lid lowered for 30 seconds, and without the grease associated with frying. Watch carefully so they don't burn.
7. When making pancakes, cook the first side in the usual way in a pan on the boiling plate, but then flip it over to cook the second side on the lightly greased simmering plate. You can then start another pancake in your pan and double your production speed.
8. The secret to a perfect Hollandaise is to place the pan on the black top plate in front of and between the closed lids. The gentle heat is just right and the sauce will not separate
9. Leave jars of jam or syrup for 30 minutes on the back of the top plate of the AGA, with their lids loosened, to soften for easy spreading when baking.
10. Whatever the weather bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your kitchen with your very own sun-dried style tomatoes. Slice them, season well, and leave to dry out on the racks in the simmering or warming ovens.
11. Keep just-cooked roast potatoes warm without making them soggy. Place the filled ovenproof serving dish on the AGA toaster on the floor of the roasting oven, with a cold plain shelf above to prevent them over-browning.