Abstract: A process for preparing a refrigerated prepared meal that includes includes selecting food components from the group consisting essentially of a starch component, a meat component, a vegetable component, a sauce component, and a spice component. The food components are cooked and then mixed to produce a food mixture. The food mixture is packaged in a hermetically sealed container to form a packaged prepared meal. The packaged prepared meal is heated to a temperature of greater than 165.degree. F. The packaged prepared meal is cooled to a temperature of less than about 41.degree. F. The packaged prepared meal produced according to the present invention has a shelf life of at least 90 days when the packaged prepared meal is maintained at a temperature of less than about 41.degree. F.

Abstract: A process for preparing a refrigerated rice meal. The process includes mixing cooked rice with oil to form a rice mixture. The rice mixture is packaged in a hermetically sealed container to form a packaged rice meal. The packaged rice meal is heated to a temperature of greater than 165.degree. F. The packaged rice meal is cooled to a temperature of less than about 41.degree. F. The packaged rice meal produced according to the present invention has a shelf life of at least 90 days when the packaged rice meal is maintained at a temperature of less than about 41.degree. F.