Abstract: New coated food products are provided. The products comprise a center food piece such as a nutmeat or cereal piece, and a coating surrounding the center food piece. The coating can be flavored with flavorings such as cheese, chocolate, or fruit. The coating comprises a substantially homogeneous mixture of a fat-based composition and a particulate material, which results in a stable coating that can tolerate higher temperatures when compared to prior art products while also having 50% or less of the fat content of prior art coatings.

Abstract: The invention provides a curing agent comprising a plant-based nitrite derived from plant material comprising nitrate and a process for preparing the curing agent comprising contacting a plant material with an organism capable of converting nitrate to nitrite. The curing agent can be used to preserve or cure meat or meat products.

Abstract: New coated food products are provided. The products comprise a center food piece such as a nutmeat or cereal piece, and a coating surrounding the center food piece. The coating can be flavored with flavorings such as cheese, chocolate, or fruit. The coating comprises a substantially homogeneous mixture of a fat-based composition and a particulate material, which results in a stable coating that can tolerate higher temperatures when compared to prior art products while also having 50% or less of the fat content of prior art coatings.

Abstract: Meat analogue products and methods of making these products are provided. The products are made from compositions comprising a mixture of ingredients, including a vegetable protein, a dough conditioner, and less than about 25% by weight flour. These compositions can optionally further comprise: thermally-preformed, texturized, protein components; oils and/or fats; flavors; spices; seasoning; colors; acids; and preservatives. These products can be provided in a log or slab formation and cut into dices, slices, cubes or any other desired geometry, and packaged and/or further processed as necessary (e.g., added to pizza products). Novel methods for the continuous manufacture of these products using a forming heat exchanger are also provided. This continuous process provides casingless food products analogous to meat products such as pepperoni.

Abstract: The invention provides a coating composition comprising an oil, a flavor, a color, an emulsifier, and an antioxidant. The coating composition can be used to prepare a food product that simulates a food product that has been deep fried.

Abstract: The invention provides a flavoring agent comprising animal tissue or flesh extract, fruit or vegetable seed, leaf, bark, or herbaceous compound extract and a process for preparing the flavoring agent. The flavoring agent can be used in a variety of food products.

Abstract: The invention provides a curing agent comprising a plant-based nitrite derived from plant material comprising nitrate and a process for preparing the curing agent comprising contacting a plant material with an organism capable of converting nitrate to nitrite. The curing agent can be used to preserve or cure meat or meat products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shortening composition free of trans fatty acids and comprises at least one partially acetylated monoglyceride, at least one fully acetylated monoglyceride, at least one mixed mono-diglyceride, and at least one vegetable oil. The shortening composition of the present invention optionally comprises at least one vegetable hard stock and optionally comprises one or more antioxidants. Further, in some embodiments the shortening composition is anhydrous. The zero trans fat shortening composition of the present invention is characterized by excellent plasticity and elasticity, and is useful for the preparation of fine baking goods.

Abstract: A water-soluble acid stable soy protein, methods for making same and acidic food or acidic beverage fortified therewith. Particularly, this invention is useful in the pH range of 3.5 to 4.1 where other soy protein fortification methods do not work. The invention is comprised of a soy protein, a thermal treatment method to solubilize at least 90% of the protein, an acidification of the protein to a point preferably significantly below the iso-electric value, and a partial neutralization to bring the product proximal to the intended pH of the application it will be used in.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a breadcrumb continuous processing line and process capable of producing multiple types of breadcrumbs, namely American style breadcrumbs, Japanese style breadcrumbs and cracker meal crumbs. Each type of bread crumbs has different characteristics including the thickness of the dough sheet the different baking requirements. The breadcrumb processing line, and the oven therein is capable of being adjusted to process of the bread dough sheet in the manner necessary to produce the type of breadcrumb desired at any given time on a single processing line.