Abstract: A shelf stable fried product and a process for creating a shelf stable fried product is disclosed. Aspects include a process for managing fat migration, moisture migration, and cell degrading of a food product during frying. Aspects further include a resulting shelf stable food product that includes a crispy and/or crunchy texture and a desirable fat distribution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking apparatus, typically for microwave ovens and the like, that has separate compartments for different foods or food components. These separate compartments are such that food components are kept separate during storage, prior to cooking or heating, as well as during cooking or heating, avoiding unwanted mixing of the food components. The apparatus includes compartments configured such that steam, generated by the heating of a food component in a lower compartment is used to steam cook or heat a food component in an upper compartment.

Abstract: A food tray has a lower tray containing a first food product and an upper tray nested stably at least partly inside the lower tray, with the upper tray containing a second food product. An air permeable interface is provided between the upper tray and lower tray to allow venting of steam from the lower tray during cooking. A cover is provided for the food tray. Each of the lower tray and the upper tray are formed of a material that is suitable for use in a microwave or conventional oven. Various constructions may be used to create the air permeable interface, such as lugs, ledges and lips. The upper tray may sit above the lower tray. The trays are nested loosely for ease of removal of the upper tray from the lower tray. Various configurations of cover may be used such as a sleeve, carton or lid. The upper tray may contain the higher value food product.

Abstract: Microwave cooking packages suitable for use as microwave popcorn packages include at least one panel (e.g., first and second panels) formed of a vertically rigid material. A flexible portion is attached to the panels. The flexible portion may be formed of a polyester film material such as a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which may be at least partially transparent. The flexible portion (and panels) defines a bag construction configured to contain a popcorn charge and to be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when the popcorn charge is subjected to a popping operation. The microwave cooking package may include a vent assembly configured to at least partially open when the bag configuration is in an expanded configuration to vent the bag construction. The vent assembly includes a first portion a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion.

Abstract: Container assemblies can include a first container and a second container, where the second container extends into and is supported by the first container. The first container and the second container can each include a flange around the periphery of an access opening. The flange of the second container is configured to provide support for the second container via engagement with the flange of the first container. In some instances, the second container can extend into and be supported by the first container through engagement of the flange of the second container with the flange of the first container such that a side panel of the first container is not in contact with a corresponding side panel of the second container. The container assembly can also include a lid for retaining the second container in the first container and/or for sealing to the first container and/or the second container.

Abstract: A microwavable food container includes a liquid-impermeable barrier configured with a single compartment or multiple compartments. The microwavable food container also includes at least one removable robe attached to the liquid-impermeable barrier on the outside surface of the container wall of one or more of the compartments. The removable robe includes a carrier and a microwave-interactive material applied to the carrier. If multiple robes are utilized, they can have similar microwave-interactive properties or different microwave-interactive properties to cause different heating environments within the container. Further, multiple microwave-interactive materials can be included on a single robe. The multiple-interactive materials can also have similar microwave-interactive properties or different microwave-interactive properties to cause different heating environments within the container.

Abstract: A food tray has a lower tray containing a first food product and an upper tray nested stably at least partly inside the lower tray, with the upper tray containing a second food product. An air permeable interface is provided between the upper tray and lower tray to allow venting of steam from the lower tray during cooking. A cover is provided for the food tray. Each of the lower tray and the upper tray are formed of a material that is suitable for use in a microwave or conventional oven. Various constructions may be used to create the air permeable interface, such as lugs, ledges and lips. The upper tray may sit above the lower tray. The trays are nested loosely for case of removal of the upper tray from the lower tray. Various configurations of cover may be used such as a sleeve, carton or lid. The upper tray may contain the higher value food product.

Abstract: An ingredient delivery system for popcorn kernels is described. The ingredient delivery system can include multiple layers. The synergy formed from the multiple layers of the ingredient delivery system results in a popped popcorn with minimal flaking and blow-off. Thus, a greater ingredient impact is imparted to the consumer. Also, the layer combination minimizes any hindrance of the natural popping action of the kernels. Thus, consumers have a greater pop volume for consumption.

Abstract: A multi-component packaging system includes a lower containing assembly, an upper containing assembly, and a cover. The lower containing assembly defines an interior cavity that is adapted to receive a first food component. The upper containing assembly defines an interior that is adapted to receive a second food component. The upper containing assembly is adapted for engagement with the lower containing assembly. The cover is engaged with at least one of the lower containing assembly and the upper containing assembly. The cover includes a passage portion that defines a plurality of apertures.

Abstract: An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof includes a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steamflow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.

Abstract: A cookware release composition having edible oil and a silicone polymer. The cookware release composition can contain an edible oil and greater than 1000 ppm polydimethylsiloxane. The cookware release composition can contain an edible oil and a silicone polymer and the edible oil can be selected from the group consisting of palm oil, fractionated palm oil, high-oleic vegetable oil, lauric acid oil, MCT, and combinations thereof. The cookware release composition can contain an edible oil that contains less than 25% polyunsaturated fatty acids and polydimethylsiloxane.

Abstract: A microwave popcorn package includes a flexible bag construction reinforced with a sidewall construction. The package is such that the flexible bag construction and the sidewall construction are expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. After the package is opened, the sidewall construction provides for a vertically rigid sidewall to provide a stand up bowl for access to the popped popcorn. The flexible bag construction may be fabricated from a generally transparent material so that the contents of the bag are visible when the package is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A method for seasoning food to reduce dietary sodium intakes includes seasoning the food product with sodium chloride having a mean distribution curve size of not more than approximately 20 microns. The amount of sodium chloride included in the seasoned food product to produce the desired flavor intensity takes into account that the sodium chloride exhibits a salt intensity that is greater than a salt intensity of an equal amount of sodium chloride having a mean distribution curve particle size greater than approximately 20 microns.

Abstract: A shelf stable, high protein, high fiber, and/or low fat aerated nougat is described. The aerated nougat can be provided in a nutrition bar, a nutritionally fortified product, an aerated confectionary product, and so forth. The aerated nougat can include mechanically denatured proteins and/or fibers without significantly affecting the texture, taste, and/or shelf stability of the finished product. The aerated nougat can be manufactured using a simplified single-step batch process.

Abstract: Microwaveable popcorn arrangements are provided, the arrangement being a bag having a popcorn charge of popcorn kernels and oil/fat component therein. The arrangements include folded bags having preferred, internal, seal and/or adhesive field configurations. The preferred configurations inhibit the undesired flow of oil/fat from the popcorn charge. Microwave popcorn products and methods of preparation and use, are provided.

Abstract: A container system is described. In one or more implementations, the container system comprises a lower container for receiving a first food component (or components) and an upper container assembly for receiving a second food component (or components) so that the second food component is separated from the first food component. The upper container assembly is configured for engagement with the lower container and is operable to be at least partially opened while the upper container assembly is engaged with the lower container to introduce the second food component into the lower container with the first food component. In one or more embodiments, a pull tab is coupled to the upper container assembly. The pull tab is configured to be pulled while the upper container assembly is engaged with the lower container to at least partially open the upper container assembly.