The pink AGA is quite capable of handling Sunday lunch. For your first morning, however, we suggest toast. There is no need to arrive ambitious.
Our electric AGA stays on, giving the round brick kitchen that familiar, cosy warmth. There is something reassuringly nostalgic about hearing the kettle come to the boil while the bread toasts: the promise of a proper cup of tea, butter melting into a thick slice, and no particular reason to hurry.
Pull up a chair. Have another cup.
Getting acquainted
The Oast has an electric AGA eR3 60 with one cast-iron hotplate. The hotplate has a boiling setting for faster cooking and AGA toast, and a simmering setting for gentler cooking. The top oven can be set for roasting or baking; the lower oven is for simmering.
We keep the AGA on for that lovely kitchen warmth. We will show you the controls and how to get started when you arrive. If you are unsure about a setting, just ask.
Proper AGA toast
Golden and toasty on the outside, soft in the middle: proper AGA toast is one of the small pleasures of staying at The Oast. Add butter while it is hot and let it melt into a thick slice.
With the kettle coming to the boil and the AGA keeping the kitchen cosy, breakfast deserves a little time.
Warm the empty toast rack first
Always warm the empty wire toast rack on the hotplate before adding the bread. This little step helps stop the bread sticking.
Use the boiling setting for AGA toast. Once the empty rack is warm, add your bread, place the rack on the hotplate and close the lid with the handle clear. Use dry oven gloves to handle the hot rack.
Check after about a minute and turn when golden, keeping a close eye on both sides. The thickness of your bread and how you like your toast will affect the timing.
A good loaf, your favourite marmalade and another cup of tea. AGA toast needs very little improving.
An unhurried breakfast
For scrambled eggs for four, bring eight eggs, a knob of butter and your usual seasoning. Use the simmering setting and let the hotplate cool down if it has just been on boiling; changing the setting does not cool it instantly.
Melt the butter in a pan, add the beaten eggs and stir gently. Lift the pan away from the heat if they start cooking too quickly. Serve as soon as they are softly set, over freshly buttered AGA toast.
Smoked salmon, tomatoes or mushrooms make good additions. There is no need for all three.
Mushrooms on AGA toast for supper
For four, allow about 800g of mushrooms, two garlic cloves, a small bunch of parsley, olive oil, butter and a good loaf. A green salad alongside makes an easy supper.
Slice the mushrooms and fry them in a little oil, in batches so they have room to colour. Add the chopped garlic towards the end, then a little butter, parsley and seasoning. Spoon generously over AGA toast and take it to the table while it is hot.
Before you come
Bring a good loaf and your favourite breakfast things. If you are planning a particular recipe or need a specialist pan, ask us beforehand so you know what is here.
There is a small fridge in the kitchen and a larger fridge in the separate boot room, useful if you are bringing food for a few days.
The hotplate, ovens and toast rack get very hot. Use dry oven gloves and keep little hands clear. Close the hotplate lid when you have finished cooking.
Country life with character.