Abstract: A press assembly for forming a food product where the press assembly includes a cutting die including a body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The proximal end has an irregular shape and a sharp edge configured to cut the food product into the irregular shape. The body has an interior surface surrounding an interior space. The press assembly further includes a pressure plate arranged within the interior space. The pressure plate includes a pressing surface including a first zone and a second zone surrounding and extending from the first zone at a taper angle such that an outer end of the second zone is recessed from an inner end adjacent the first zone. The cutting die and the pressure plate cooperate to press and cut the food product. The food product is also described.

Abstract: A food composition capable of maintaining a crunchy texture after freezing and reheating is disclosed. The food composition includes a crust or an outer casing having a dough-based matrix or a batter-based matrix with a thickness of about 2 to about 150 mm, and texture modifying particles dispersed throughout the matrix. The texture modifying particles generally comprise about 12 to about 40% by weight of the food composition and provide the food composition with a crunchy texture. The texture modifying particles may be crushed particles of food products, such as fried grain chips, fried vegetable chips, extruded cereals, extruded crackers, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A press assembly for forming a food product where the press assembly includes a cutting dye including a body that extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The proximal end has an irregular shape and a sharp edge configured to cut the food product into the irregular shape. The body has an interior surface surrounding an interior space. The press assembly further includes a pressure plate arranged within the interior space. The pressure plate includes a pressing surface including a first zone and a second zone surrounding and extending from the first zone at a taper angle such that an outer end of the second zone is recessed from an inner end adjacent the first zone. The cutting dye and the pressure plate cooperate to press and cut the food product. The food product is also described.