Simmering oven – Aga Ranges 6-4 Series User Manual

Page 28

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THE SIMMERING OVEN

This is used for long, slow cooking over 6-8 hours, keeping food warm and warming plates for
short periods.

EXTRA CARE MUST BE TAKEN WHEN WARMING BONE CHINA - USE THE LOWEST
SETTING.

The slow cooking setting is the area marked between 225ºF - 250ºF on the oven control knob.

USING THE SIMMERING OVEN SETTING

Points to bear in mind when preparing food.

z

Do not place dishes directly on to the oven base. Always place onto shelf supplied. See
Fig. 17B.

z

Push dishes well back in the oven to ensure that they are positioned over the element
beneath the base plate.

z

Make sure all dishes will fit into the oven before preparing the food.

z

All dishes cooked by the slow cooking method should be cooked for a minimum of 6
hours. They will ‘hold’ at this setting for a further 1-2 hours but marked deterioration in
appearance will be noticed in some cases.

z

Joints of meat and poultry should be cooked at 350ºF for 30 minutes before transferring
to the slow cooking oven.

z

Meat over 2.7kg (6lbs) and poultry over 2kg (4lbs 8ozs) are unsuitable for the slow cooking
method.

z

Always stand covered joints on a rack over a meat tin, to allow good air circulation.

z

Make sure that pork and poultry reach an internal temperature of at least 195ºF.

z

This method is unsuitable for stuffed meat and poultry.

z

Always bring soups, casseroles and liquids to the boil before putting in the oven.

z

When casseroles are used, cover the food first with foil and then the lid to prevent loss of
moisture.

z

Always thaw frozen food completely before cooking.

z

Root vegetables will cook better if cut into small pieces.

z

Adjust seasonings and thickenings at the end of the cooking time.

z

Egg and fish dishes need only 1-5 hours cooking and should be included in day cooking
sessions, where they can be observed from time to time.

z

Dried red kidney beans must be boiled for a minimum of ten minutes, after soaking, and
before inclusion in any dish.

STORAGE AND RE-HEATING OF FOOD

z

If food is to be frozen or not served immediately, cool it in a clean container as quickly as
possible.

z

Thaw frozen food completely in the refrigerator before re-heating.

z

Re-heat food thoroughly and quickly either on the hotplate or in a hot oven 350ºF - 355ºF,
and then serve immediately.

z

Only re-heat food once.

SIMMERING OVEN

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