Abstract: A method of preparing a high fat extruded protein product includes feeding water, a first fat, and a blend of plant proteins to an extruder to produce an extruded protein mixture. The extruded protein mixture is directed through a cooling die and divided into pieces, with the pieces being subsequently tumbled with oil. The resulting high fat extruded protein product will have at least 15-23% total fat by weight and, upon cooking, exhibits a desirable grease-out effect (e.g., reminiscent of a traditional pepperoni product). The blend of plant proteins preferably includes soy protein, wheat gluten and a grain or starch-based ingredient, and makes up at least 40-50%, by weight, of the high fat extruded protein product.

Abstract: A food kit may include a food item, a shaped food seasoning product, and a container. In some examples, the shaped food seasoning product defines a three-dimensional shape and includes a binder material binding the shaped food seasoning product together to define the three-dimensional shape and seasoning. The seasoning may form greater than 20 weight percent of the shaped food seasoning product. The container may enclose the food item and the shaped food seasoning product so that the food item and the shaped food seasoning product are contained inside the container. During use, a consumer may transfer the contents of the food kit to a cooking container and add liquid to the container, causing the shaped food seasoning product to dissolve and release the seasoning bound in the seasoning product.

Abstract: A pasta product can be formed from a low protein flour by blending the low protein flour with water to form a pasta dough. In some examples, the pasta dough is then hot extruded to produce an extruded pasta before being dried. In contrast to cold extrusion where the goal is to minimize starch gelatinization while shaping the pasta dough, hot extrusion can cause starch within the low protein flour to gelatinize. The gelatinized starch may help compensate for the lack of protein network structure caused by using a low protein flour.

Abstract: A food kit may include a food item, a shaped food seasoning product, and a container. In some examples, the shaped food seasoning product defines a three-dimensional shape and includes a binder material binding the shaped food seasoning product together to define the three-dimensional shape and seasoning. The seasoning may form greater than 20 weight percent of the shaped food seasoning product. The container may enclose the food item and the shaped food seasoning product so that the food item and the shaped food seasoning product are contained inside the container. During use, a consumer may transfer the contents of the food kit to a cooking container and add liquid to the container, causing the shaped food seasoning product to dissolve and release the seasoning bound in the seasoning product.

Abstract: A pasta product can be formed from a low protein flour by blending the low protein flour with water to form a pasta dough. In some examples, the pasta dough is then hot extruded to produce an extruded pasta before being dried. In contrast to cold extrusion where the goal is to minimize starch gelatinization while shaping the pasta dough, hot extrusion can cause starch within the low protein flour to gelatinize. The gelatinized starch may help compensate for the lack of protein network structure caused by using a low protein flour.