Abstract: Pasta is blanched or cooked by transporting it to, through and out of a water tank wherein the pasta is passed through the tank beneath and above vertically movable rollers positioned in the tank so that the pasta travels through blanching or cooking water in a vertically oriented zigzag course about the rollers while being blanched or cooked by the water.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic cooking method and apparatus employing an indirect heating system, which is controlled with the help of temperature detection sensors and a time delay circuit setting a cooking time for control of the heating unit. The proper time and temperature for preparation are found from tests made in advance by recipes, cooking characteristics, sizes of solid ingredients, and by a user's option.

Abstract: A process for cooking, in a cooking fluid, food products which lose a portion of their moisture content as vapor during the cooking cycle is provided. The food products are spaced and oriented so that during cooking, water vapor is expelled from the food products into the vertical convection channels formed by the spacing and orienting of the food products. The expelled buoyant water vapor augments the upward vertical convection of the cooking fluid through the vertical convection channels, thereby improving heat transfer from the cooking fluid to the food products. As a result, cooking time and fat uptake is reduced and a more uniform product quality is provided.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for preparing a frozen comestible for consumption, comprising:(a) combining frozen food constituents with a substantially dry sauce concentrate;(b) adding a discrete portion of a microwave-power absorbing liquid medium to the combination; and(c) heating the combination with a source of microwave power.In a further embodiment, the invention also relates to a microwaveable, individual portion serving container, said container provided with a measuring closure, said container containing a frozen comestible comprising a quantity of frozen constituents and a substantially dry sauce concentrate, wherein said closure includes venting means to off-gas steam generated when said frozen comestible is combined with a microwave power absorbing liquid medium and heated with a source of microwave power.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and associated apparatus for production of broth or stock from mechanically deboned meat. The mechanically deboned meat is extruded into a circulating stream of hot water or recycled broth in a closed sanitary tubing system sized to provide the required degree of cooking. The deboned meat introduced into the extruder may be mixed with salt and/or sodium phosphate to promote protein extraction and binding ("cohesion"). The broth and cooked meat are separated and further processed or stored for later use. The separated extruded meat may be further cooked by conventional methods, e.g., in open kettles, to produce additional broth and fat, or used as an ingredient in numerous meat products. The separated broth may be recycled to increase the amount of solubilized protein therein or diverted for immediate use elsewhere.

Abstract: A microwave oat cereal, a method of its manufacture, and a method of its consumer-preparation is disclosed.A one-ounce single serving of the product of this invention can be fully cooked in a microwave oven in a single serving bowl without foam-over. The cereal comprises a mixture of an oat cereal pieces, such as oat flakes, or oat bran, and a small amount of lecithin, preferably in the form of a powder and preferably in the form of discrete solid encapsulated lecithin. The lecithin is present in an amount effective to prevent foaming out of a single serving bowl when a single serving of the mixture is cooked with water in a microwave oven. Also, the lecithin may be affixed to the surface of the oat cereal such as by spraying, or by allowing encapsulated lecithin to contact the cereal while the cereal is at temperature above the melting point of the encapsulated lecithin.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus characterized in that it comprises reservoir means (66) for cooking fluid, cooking fluid spray means (76), means (78, 80, 82) for transferring cooking fluid from said reservoir means (66) to said spray means (76) wherein said spray means (76) is positioned such that food to be cooked is contacted by cooking fluid sprayed from said spray means (76). The food to be cooked may be held on tray means (144), in container means (140) in an annular space (214) defined by concentric wall means (184) or may be fed to the apparatus along conveyor means (14).

Abstract: Meat is processed by introducing it into a mobile cooking vessel after which the vessel is sealed from the atmosphere. A stock liquor is heated by a heat exchanger to a cooking temperature of at least 60.degree. C. and circulated through the vessel and the heat exchanger for a time sufficient to heat and cook the meat. After the meat is cooked, the circulating stock liquor is cooled by the heat exchanger to a temperature suitable to cool the heated, cooked meat to a temperature of no more than 15.degree. C. within 45 minutes.

Abstract: Traditionally manufactured oat products, even those steamed for enzyme stability, have been found to present a tendency for foamover, when consumer-prepared in a microwave oven. In spite of the steam treatment, it is found that the starch in such products is raw, that is ungelatinized.In accordance with this invention, whole or cut oat groats are pregelatinized, and if desired, are flaked or cut, to provide a hot oat cereal product which is particularly suitable for microwave preparation by the consumer. The resulting packaged hot oat cereal is prepared by the consumer by admixing with a minimal amount of water, e.g. 2/3 cup of water or less per ounce of cereal, and subjecting to a one-step cooking cycle in the microwave.

Abstract: Uncooked potato products are preserved by a process wherein the potatoes are peeled, cut, blanched, cooled, and dried. Then the potato products are packaged in a flexible vacuum bag which is evacuated, flushed with an inert gas, and sealed. The preservation process is designed to preserve pre-cut, uncooked potatoes for storage at 34.degree.-38.degree. F. for four to six weeks.

Abstract: In a process for the fast cooking of pasta and the like, a metered quantity of food is introduced from the top, into a containing chamber 8 embodied in a boiler 7, in said containing chamber 8 pasta being homogeneously distributed. Subsequently water at high pressure and temperature coming from the boiler is also introduced into the containing chamber. The expansion of water in the containing chamber takes place without forming over-heated vapor so that water can homogeneously impregnate and soften pasta within a period shorter than 40 seconds. Pasta is then conveyed into a pause chamber 9 where cooking goes on for a period shorter than 40 seconds. The last cooking operation takes place in the consuming vessel 76 where pasta is finally transferred, while the final consumer is putting dressing thereon.

Abstract: A method for cooking potatoes in hot water-vapor consists of disposing dried potatoes in non-overlapped, non-contacting relationship above a body of boiling water so as to expose them for about five minutes to a confined body of hot water vapor maintained at atmospheric pressure. The apparatus comprises a water container for a body of water, a heat source to heat and maintain said body of water at its boiling point, a perforated motor-driven movable conveyor structure on which diced potatoes can be arranged in non-overlapped, non-contacting relationship and which is located closely above the surface of the body of water, and an enclosure overlaying the conveyor stucture and the water container for entrapping hot water-vapor there or within so as to expose the diced potatoes thereto, said container having apertures therein so as to maintain the hot water-vapor at substantial atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method of preparing crispy barbecued snouts, beef tripe or pig ears and skins, and the products thereof, including: in all products trim off excess fat from the lean meat, cover the lean meat with water and boil for about 20-30 minutes, season it while keeping water in and over the products, and boil for another two hours. Allow the boiled product to cool, place it on a platter, and freeze it. This frozen product then may be kept for a long period of time in the frozen state, wrapped and packaged to avoid freezer burn. When it is desired to use the product, it can be put into deep frying fat for 15-30 minutes, removed and put in a sauce and served.

Abstract: This invention discloses a cooking process for potato products such as potato chips, french fry-like potatoes that have an ingredient characteristic of no-fat, no-cholesterol and salt-free that is attractive from a dietary perspective. The process includes the steps of microwave cooking sliced potatoes in water for purposes of releasing undesirable potato starch from the potatoes utilizing a transparent color transformation as an indicator of doneness. Once the potatoes have gone the color transformation the hot water is dumped and the potatoes are rinsed in cold water to remove visible potato starch. After rinsing the potatoes are then arranged in a planar fashion on a non-stick cooking sheet and placed in a conventional radiant heat oven for browning and crispening to produce a no-fat, no cholesterol, salt-free potato product. After crispening and browning the potato product is ready for consumption or prepared for packaging, such as by freezing, for later consumption using known packaging methods.

Abstract: Low-calorie boiled cereal, preferably rice gruel, with reduced carbohydrate, particularly a saccharide component. The cereal is useful as low-calorie food for the therapy and prevention of obesity and therapy of diabetes. The cereal is prepared by adding to one part by weight of boiled cereal, 2-10 parts by weight of water or diluted aqueous acid heated at 60.degree. C. or higher, warming the mixture of 60.degree. C. or higher for 1 to 30 min. while maintaining the viscosity of the water of diluted aqueous acid at 200 cP or below, removing the liquid part and adding 0.05-5 parts by weight of water containing 0.1-10 parts by weight of water-soluble dietary fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a batch process for preparing a heat treated granular solid foodstuff, and more particularly it relates to a process wherein a granular solid food is sufficiently heated deep into the center portion thereof to be sterilized and/or cooked and then cooled without impairing the appearance and flavor thereof. The heating and cooling occur by heated and cooled liquids which fluidize the granular solid food.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for improving the shrimps and lobsters, which comprises quick-freezing the prawns, color of prawns, shrimps and lobsters to a certain low temperature before the heat treatment, a step conventionally used for changing the color of prawns, shrimps and lobsters to a beautiful pink red, and then cooling the heat treated prawns, shrimps or lobsters immediately after the heat treating step, so that the depth of color change can be easily regulated within an appropriate range, preventing the prawns, shrimps or lobsters from losing body fluid and destroying any qualities of freshness.

Abstract: A method of producing retort food comprises the steps of subjecting broiled fish to hot-water processing in hot water at a temperature of 65.degree. to 98.degree. C. for 10 to 150 seconds; enclosing the resulting broiled fish in a packaging container in a sealing manner; and subjecting the broiled fish to retort sterilization processing. According to the method, there is provided a retort food comprising broiled fish capable of minimizing the generation of drips from broiled fish at the time of retort sterilization processing and maintaining a good appearance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for continuously and gently aseptically processing a food product comprising delicate food chunks of fruit, vegetables or the like immersed in a liquid. The apparatus comprises a heating enclosure into which the food product and a nonsterile gas are introduced and the food product heated to a sterilization temperature, and a holding enclosure which may be integral with or separate from the heating enclosure for holding the food product and a sterile gas introduced therein at the sterilization temperature for a predetermined time. The apparatus further preferably comprises a cooling enclosure for cooling the food product.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically cooking pasta, comprising a basin in which a pasta basket is removably housed, the pasta basket being rotatably supported by a cover adapted to be tightly engaged on a side of the basin, a duct for introducing hot water into the basin, the hot water introducing duct being controlled by a first valve arranged on a delivery side of a first pump drawing water from a boiler, a water recirculation duct connected to the delivery side of the first pump and controlled by a second valve for recirculating water between a kettle and the boiler, a further duct connected to the kettle and controlled by a third valve for supplying preheated water from a heat exchanger to the kettle and the boiler, an accumulating tank for introducing the water existing the basin into the heat exchanger, and a basin recirculating circuit consisting of a second pump and a further heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container packed with instant food to be cooked by a microwave oven which allows a solid instant food such as instant chow mein and instant macaroni to be reconstituted to its original cooked state with good texture in a short period of time when the food is cooked in a microwave oven without the need to drain water after it is cooked.The container packed with instant food comprises: a container composed of a container body and a lid which is capable of tightly or substantially tightly sealing said container; and a solid instant food accommodated in said container, wherein said food is to be reconstituted and made ready for eating on absorbing water when said container packed with said food is heated in a microwave oven after water is added thereto in an amount equivalent to between 100 and 155 wt % of the water absorption capacity of said food.

Abstract: Food treating processes to be conducted in an enclosure having control means to control the humidity of the atmosphere in the enclosure as well as the temperature in the enclosure to provide selected effects in the food where in general the temperature of water in a reservoir is maintained at a temperature no greater than the air temperature in the enclosure.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for simultaneously applying heat to food such as pasta while applying agitation in the form of a repetitive irregular rotational motion similar to that of a chef constantly turning the contents of a pan while it is being heated. The device of the invention comprises a pan with cover removably suspended from an elongated beam assembly which is horizontally disposed for repetitive reciprocating movement to impart the desired rotational motion to the container holding the food while it is being heated. One end of the beam assembly is connected to a rotating arm which imparts a reciprocating movement to the beam. The beam assembly is supported at a point between its two ends to accommodate the reciprocating motion imparted by the rotating wheel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing dried rice, which is capable of allowing the cooking time to be reduced, and which allows the rice to have an appearance and a texture when cooked as excellent as rice cooked using an electric rice cooker. The method of manufacturing dried rice comprises as steps of: adjusting a water content of polished rice so that it reaches at least 23 wt % after the rice has been washed with water; soaking the rice in a sugar solution so as to allow the sugar to permeate the rice and to remove 6 to 38 wt % of the water contained in the rice; separating the sugar solution adhered to the rice; and drying the rice under conditions in which starch contained therein will not be pregelatinized.

Abstract: A method of processing a first type of product and a second type of product in a common chamber, by passing of a first type of product into the chamber and causing it to dwell for a predetermined first dwell time, and then passing a batch of a second type of product into the chamber and causing it to dwell for a predetermined second dwell time different from the first dwell time.

Abstract: A water circulated grill having a fire bowl and a food supporting grill thereon, the food supporting grill being made up of interconnected tubular members through which water is circulated to maintain the supporting grill surfaces cool while food thereon is heated by a heat source in the fire bowl.

Abstract: A dried puree of a starchy material, preferably the yam, in the form of flakes is compacted under a pressure of from 50 to 120 bars and then reduced to granules having a bulk density of from 0.40 to 0.65 kg/l. The granules may be placed in a water-permeable bag which may be filled to 45 to 80% of its volume with the starchy material. In the case of the yam, the dry matter content of the reconstituted material is on the order of 30 to 36%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooking utensil, for example a cooking pot, wherein the latter has an ion exchanger and/or absorber and/or adsorber and/or filter and/or other device for the extraction of residues of pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, hormones and the like from the products to be cooked and prepared, i.e. from the foodstuffs to be prepared, their preparation liquid and/or their vapors during the cooking process. The said harmful substances are to be extracted in this way from the products to be cooked.

Abstract: A method of preparatory processing of mussles. The mussles are placed in an inner container which is positioned inside an outer container. The inner container has perforated walls and is equipped with perforated tubes which are spaced a certain distance apart. The mussles are heated to about 85.degree. C. inside the container while being maintained in compacted condition whereby they will be able to open to a minimum extent only. The mussles are then cooled and dry-frozen individually. The cooking (processing) liquid may be frozen in cubes, blocks or the like. The liquid is then used in the final preparation of the mussles prior to their consumption.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus has a circular cooking vessel, an overflow situated at an upper portion of the cooking vessel for removing water and starch or scum from a top part of the water bath in the vessel, a heater situated in the cooking vessel for maintaining the water bath at a desired predetermined temperature and a horizontal circular plate arranged on the circular cooking vessel and covering the open top thereof. The plate has a plurality of circularly distributed apertures. There is further provided a variable-speed motor connected to the circular plate for rotating it at a selected speed. A plurality of perforated cooking baskets fit into respective apertures of the plate. Each basket has a handle for manually removing the basket from and inserting it into a respective aperture; and a configuration cooperating with the plate for suspending the basket from the plate for submersion into the water bath.

Abstract: A method of freezing peeled apple pieces is disclosed where the apple pieces are blanched in plain water, generally at a temperature of 85.degree.-95.degree. C., dried by convection hot air at 60.degree. in less, and frozen.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing hot food products in portions of predetermined size by rehydrating a dehydrated food product to provide a dough that can be shaped and heated. The apparatus includes means for storing bags of dehydrated product and for opening individual bags as needed to maintain a desired level of dehydrated product in a hopper. Rehydration means are provided, including a metering chamber to meter a portion of the dehydrated food product, and a rehydration head to uniformly wet the dehydrated food product to form a coherent dough. The dough is passed through a forming means to form it into predetermined pieces that are extruded from a forming chamber, and a wire knife passes linearly across the forming chamber to separate the extruded product therefrom. A product transfer conveyor is provided to convey the shaped dough pieces to a fryer vessel in which heated frying oil is provided.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus having a plurality of individual portion sized pots disposed in a pot chamber is provided for cooking pasta and other foods "to order". Each pot has a cooking fluid admitting opening in the bottom thereof which receives a cooking fluid nozzle therein. The pot opening is covered by a mesh or other apertured cap which admits cooking fluid but prevents the pasta from escaping. The head of the nozzle has a "hat-shaped" cap slidably mounted thereon which closes the pot opening and injects heated cooking fluid into the pot when the nozzle is connected to a source of heated cooking fluid and which opens the pot opening and drains the pot when the nozzle is disconnected from the cooking fluid source. Cooking and draining are accomplished without moving the nozzle or the pot. The drained cooking fluid is collected in the pot chamber and recirculated by means of a filter and pump so that it may be used again for the same or other pots.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing individual orders of a hot food product. The apparatus is designed to use a food product provided in a dehydrated form, such food product being readily reconstituted by the addition of a liquid. The apparatus includes a mechanism for delivering an amount of dehydrated food product corresponding to the size of an individual order, a chamber and system for rehydrating the product, a mechanism for cutting rehydrated product forced out of the chamber, a cooking device for the severed product, and a conveyor for delivering cooked product. The invention further provides a lever that combines a closure for a carrier of dehydrated product with a shower head for furnishing water for reconstituting the product, and provides a device for cooking and for conveying rehydrated product.

Abstract: A device and a method for the manufacture and processing of biscuit mixture shapes, including pressing pick up devices by means of a drive with their forming chambers against the floor of a trough filled with biscuit mixture, and while there, rotating them by means of a drive by 360.degree., while a drive turns the trough somewhat further. Subsequently the pick up devices are raised and placed by a drive in a position above a band conveyor with baking sheets. By means of a drive the ejectors are then moved into the forming chambers and the formed biscuits are deposited by stripping device onto the baking sheet. The baking sheet is fitted with recesses of specific design. The band conveyor transports the formed biscuits into a plant comprising an oven, a cooling device, a second heating device, a removal device and stacking chambers for baking sheets. The removal device is largely identical with the mixture pick up device. The trough receives a supply of mixture which is controlled by a level indicator.

Abstract: A deluge water type vegetable blancher is disclosed which comprises an elongated tank, a conveyor above the tank to carry vegetables longitudinally of the tank, a flood/deluge system adapted to water blanch the vegetables upon the conveyor, drain lines in the tank to discharge the blanching water, a filter receiving the discharged water from the drain lines to continuously filter and recirculate the blanching water and one or more pumps including water heaters to supply hot water at substantially constant temperature throughout the entire flood/deluge system.

Abstract: A process for blanching vegetables wherein the vegetables are subjected to a first blanching step for a period of from 1 to 30 seconds at a temperature from 90.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. in water or steam and then to a second blanching step for a period of from 1 to 60 minutes at a temperature from 45.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. in water. The vegetables are afterwards frozen.

Abstract: A machine forms tortillas into cooked taco shells using a conveyor with a plurality of complementary, vertically extending forming elements which shift from a nested to an open condition as the conveyor sprockets are traversed for feeding and discharging the product. On the lower conveyor run the forming elements pass through a channel of cooking oil and then on to a station where cooked taco shells are discharged. A loading conveyor feeds tortillas in a spaced column towards the forming elements and an acceleration conveyor operates between the loading conveyor and forming conveyor for positioning the tortilla for engagement with a forming element.

Abstract: A cooking basket for use in upwardly open cooking chamber adapted to receive a heat transfer fluid with heater means to selectively heat the heat transfer fluid where the basket is generally cylindrical in shape and adapted to be selectively disposed within the chamber with its longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chamber where the basket is defined by first and second generally porous sidewalls with a mean diameter less than the mean diameter of the chamber, hinge means joining one edge of each of the first and second side wall means so the free ends of the first and second sidewalls can be closed to form the basket and opened about the hinge means to provide access to the chamber defined by the first and second sidewalls and wherein each wall section includes shelf means disposed therein extending transversely from the respective sidewall means so that when the sidewall means are closed the shelf means of the first and second sidewall means are mutually disposed in interleavi

Abstract: A pizza cooking utensil comprising a housing having one open end adapted to be disposed adjacent the hot surface of a cooking grill and the opposite end closed by a removable cover, a partition provided in the interior of the housing separating the interior of the housing into two chambers, one chamber being adapted for surrounding or encasing a pizza serving to be cooked and the other chamber being a moisture chamber or water reservoir chamber, valves interposed between the two chambers and operable to selectively admit a quantity of moisture into the chamber surrounding the pizza section for facilitating the rapid and efficient cooking of the pizza section. The utensil eliminates the need for the usual relatively large and expensive pizza oven and renders the serving of pizza in a fast food establishment a feasible operation.

Abstract: A consumer operated frying machine receives food in an open-top container, transfers the food to a frying station for cooking in hot oil, and returns the cooked food to its original container for consumption. Cooking oil is continuously heated, filtered and recirculated through the frying station for improved cooking. A dumping mechanism provides a means to drain excess oil from the cooked food and oscillates to loosen food products which may adhere to the machine during cooking. A sealing lid and air replenishment and filtration system combine to prevent undesirable cooking odors from entering the surrounding environment.

Abstract: In a batch method for the heat treatment of particulate solid material, especially food materials, the vessel in which the heat treatment takes place is essentially a jacketed pressure vessel (1) in which the material is tumbled while being heated, and in order to obtain an increase in throughput the solids and cooking liquor are removed to a second vessel (2) after cooling. In the second tumbling vessel there is a reversible strainer (12) which is used in the position illustrated to separate the liquor from the solids and then inverted after withdrawal of the liquor so that they may be blended with a different liquor, such as a sauce, introduced via a line (14).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing individual orders of a hot food product. The apparatus is designed to use a food product provided in a dehydrated form, such food product being readily reconstituted by the addition of a liquid. The apparatus includes a mechanism for delivering an amount of dehydrated food product corresponding to the size of an individual order, a chamber and system for rehydrating the product, a mechanism for cutting rehydrated product forced out of the chamber, a cooking device for the severed product, and a conveyor for deliverying cooked product. The invention further provides a lever that combines a closure for a carrier of dehydrated product with a shower head for furnishing water for reconstituting the product, and provides a device for cooking and for conveying rehydrated product.

Abstract: A utensil for reconstituting a two-component dehydrated dish includes three approximately cup-shaped container members having each a bottom wall and an annular wall transverse to the bottom wall and bounding an open side of the member opposite the bottom wall. A first container defines a cavity dimensioned to receive the other two members substantially entirely. The bottom walls of the first and of a second member are imperforate, the bottom wall of the third member being formed with a plurality of perforations. Positioning means permit the second and third members to be positioned in the cavity of the first member in respective positions in which the bottom walls of the second and third members are transversely offset from each other and from the bottom wall of the first member, and the second and third members are open in the same direction as the first member.

Abstract: An improved quick-freezing process for whole blue crabs to be subsequently served whole as steamed crabs with enhanced flavor and providing extended shelf life without loss of flavor or texture. The process includes the steps of quick cooking whole blue crabs while maintaining maximum water content using a sugar-liquid bath, chilling while maintaining maximum water content using a sugar-liquid bath and quick freezing to at least -15.degree. F. without cracking, and storage at a uniform temperature of at least -15.degree. F.

Abstract: Hamburger patties are rapidly cooked with reduced shrinkage in a water base cooking liquid. A cooking appliance is provided having a plurality of parallel spaced heat transfer fins. An array of projecting cooking grills on which the hamburger patty is impaled are thermally connected to said heat transfer fins. This composite cooking appliance is introduced into a water base liquid heating medium so that heat is transferred through the fins and projecting grills to the interior of the hamburger patty. In this way cooking is accomplished in a relatively short period of time, and the amount of fat and meat juices that are melted or boiled away is reduced. An ejector is adapted to fit between the projecting cooking grills in order to remove the food patty after cooking is completed.

Abstract: Improved process for peeling tomatoes under vacuum comprises the step of instantaneously connecting the container of the tomatoes to a vacuum vessel and, immediately after, the step of closing this connection and connecting the said container to a vacuum pump. The vacuum applied to the tomatoes is fluctuated downwardly for peeling the tomatoes. Also, disclosed is a machine for peeling tomatoes which comprises flexibles pipes connecting the containers of the tomatoes to a vacuum vessel and/or a vacuum pump via a dehumidifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of a protein isolate having low solubility with excellent functional properties as a complete or partial replacement for milk co-precipitate in a non-aqueous, "creme" filling used in cookies, snacks and the like. The process comprises; forming an aqueous slurry of an isolated soy protein; controlling the pH of the slurry to between about 4.5 to 5.8 by the addition of a monovalent alkali reagent; heating said slurry to a temperature of between about 170.degree.-240.degree. F.; and neutralizing said slurry to a pH of 6.8 to 7.2 in the presence of an alkaline earth cation to provide a low solubility protein isolate.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel method of and an apparatus for transferring heat to food articles. Basically, the novel method of the present invention comprises: supporting food articles on support means located within a chamber; and forcing a heated liquid heat-transferring medium through means located adjacent to said support means. More specifically, one presently preferred form of the novel method of the present invention involves holding cooked meat food articles at a temperature above 140.degree. F. and within a temperature range of .+-.5.degree. F.

Abstract: A process for preparing a frozen hash brown potato product including cooking raw potato slabs, cooling cooked potato slabs, cooling the cooked potato slabs to a temperature of approximately 40.degree. to 45.degree. F. and then immediately shredding the cooled potato slabs and forming the shredded material into cakes of a desired shape and size. With this method, the formed potato cakes are held together by the natural binding material of the potato, without the addition of other binding agents.