I was joined by leading health and wellness expert, registered dietitian, Ruth Lahmayer Chipps, MS, RD, to talk about how best to cook your food for maximum nutrition and natural flavor. Here are 10 examples of this practice in action.
1. Overnight oatmeal
I start my day off with a bang with this hearty breakfast of steel cut oats, left to cook in the simmering oven while I sleep. Considering I’m not much of a morning person, the idea of waking up to a warm bowl of oatmeal with my favorite mix-ins is enough to throw off the comforter and hup-two my way to breakfast.
2. Oil-free eggs
I’ve mentioned this one before, but it’s worth saying again. You can cook up an egg without oil or butter, just by placing Bake-O-Glide atop the simmering plate. Crack the egg, close the hob for a few minutes, slide off with a spatula and grab your fork…breakfast is ready!
3. Roasted Mediterranean vegetables
Root vegetables are a favorite of Ruth’s for their nutritional content. Just toss cut vegetables with a light coat of olive oil, thyme and pepper, and you’ve got yourself a delicious and hearty side.
4. Easy roast chicken
A staple for family dinners, the AGA cooks up a succulent bird without using ANY oil or butter.
5. Fast fish
Packed with healthy omega 3 fatty acids, fish is a fast fix in the AGA. To broil flat fish, just brush its surface very lightly with oil or butter, arrange on a full or half-size AGA meat tin and place on the top runner of the roasting oven to broil until it flakes apart with a fork. Alternatively, pan grill meatier fish in a matter of minutes using a preheated AGA cast iron grill pan atop the boiling plate. Serve with a mango salsa or green sauce for a punch of flavor.
6. Steamed vegetables
Quick-boil your favorite vegetables, then transfer (lidded) to the simmering oven to finish steaming. Add herbs for flavor.
7. Quintessential rice
The magic in the preparation is that it’s EASY. Once the water comes to a boil, I transfer the covered pot to the simmering oven to leave untouched, no need to stir or tend to it. I can have it ready in 20 minutes or leave it longer without burning or drying the rice, which means I can comfortably turn my attention to prepping other meal items while it fluffs up on my schedule. Mix in a protein and diced vegetables for a one-dish wonder. Bonus: it’s gluten-free!
8. Speedy stir fry
Toss your favorite vegetables into a preheated AGA cast iron wok with a bit of oil or sauce for nourishing eats in short order.
9. Grilled skewers
Stack a colorful array of vegetables and meat on individual skewers and set to sizzle in a preheated AGA grill pan. Grill until the meat cooks through, and you have yourself a taste of summer all year long.
10. Quick quesadilla pizza
Layer a tortilla with pizza toppings and heat directly on the simmering plate. Load up on vegetables and limit the cheese for extra nutrition points!
See, eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to relegate yourself to a diet of grass clippings! The AGA helps you mind your waistline with its gentle cast iron radiant heat cooking method. It’s the far more satisfying (and easy) way to up your intake of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants while also reducing the dependency on oils, sugars and fat to flavor food…no sacrifice to the taste experience necessary.