Abstract: A method of processing a belly for pre-cooked bacon includes injecting a belly with 1 to 3% by green weight of the belly of a solution comprising water, sodium nitrite, and sodium erythorbate to create an injected belly. The injected belly is tumbled under vacuum with dry ingredients comprising salt, sugar, and dextrose to create a tumbled belly. The tumbled belly is molded in a mold and then frozen in the mold to create a hardened belly. The hardened belly is removed from the mold to create a molded belly. The molded belly is sliced to create belly slices, and the belly slices are cooked.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention method of making bacon pieces comprises placing bellies in a vessel. Dry cure ingredients and water are added in the vessel containing the bellies. The dry cure ingredients and the water create a cure ingredients solution, which includes up to 3.0% water by weight of the bellies. The bellies and the cure ingredients solution are tumbled in the vessel under vacuum to create cured bellies. The cured bellies are cooked to a desired cook level. The up to 3.0% water by weight of the bellies allows the cured bellies to be cooked to the desired cook level in only one cooking step.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a method of making pepperoni flakes or pepperoni. The applications for this invention are broad and would encompass any flavoring for a meat topping or ingredient product. Generally, the subject invention includes the use of fat raw materials rather than a lean/fat blend, the use of an emulsifier to reduce fat particle size and connective tissue, and a low moisture protein ratio of the end product. In addition, this method results in a rapid speed of the process. The product mixture is ground, cooked, and conveyed to a drum drier. The speed of the drum drier is determined by the desired moisture protein ratio, which is 1.6:1 or less for pepperoni.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a method of making pepperoni flakes or pepperoni. The applications for this invention are broad and would encompass any flavoring for a meat topping or ingredient product. Generally, the subject invention includes the use of fat raw materials rather than a lean/fat blend, the use of an emulsifier to reduce fat particle size and connective tissue, and a low moisture protein ratio of the end product. In addition, this method results in a rapid speed of the process. The product mixture is ground, cooked, and conveyed to a drum drier. The speed of the drum drier is determined by the desired moisture protein ratio, which is 1.6:1 or less for pepperoni.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a method of making pepperoni flakes or pepperoni. The applications for this invention are broad and would encompass any flavoring for a meat topping or ingredient product. Generally, the subject invention includes the use of fat raw materials rather than a lean/fat blend, the use of an emulsifier to reduce fat particle size and connective tissue, and a low moisture protein ratio of the end product. In addition, this method results in a rapid speed of the process. The product mixture is ground, cooked, and conveyed to a drum drier. The speed of the drum drier is determined by the desired moisture protein ratio, which is 1.6:1 or less for pepperoni.

Abstract: A method of making crunchy bacon bits from raw bellies. The raw bellies are sized and mixed with water and curing ingredients to form a product mixture. The product mixture is placed in a vessel with agitation. Then, the mixture is heated to above 120° F. wherein protein within the product mixture is substantially denatured. The product mixture is then cooked under a vacuum until the product mixture attains a product moisture content of 5% or less and a water activity level of 0.30 or less.

Abstract: A method of making crunchy bacon bits from raw bellies. The raw bellies are sized and mixed with water and curing ingredients to form a product mixture. The product mixture is placed in a vessel with agitation. Then, the mixture is heated to above 120° F. wherein protein within the product mixture is substantially denatured. The product mixture is then cooked under a vacuum until the product mixture attains a product moisture content of 5% or less and a water activity level of 0.30 or less.

Abstract: A method of making bacon bits from bacon or bacon ends and pieces. Bacon or bacon ends and pieces are reduced to a first size, cooked sufficiently to bring its water activity level to a first level, wherein the bacon or bacon ends and pieces have a pink color after cooking. Then, the bacon or bacon ends and pieces are fried to bring their water activity level to a second level, wherein the bacon or bacon ends and pieces have a dark red color.

Abstract: A method of making bacon bits from raw bellies. The raw bellies are sized to a first size. Then, the sized bellies are mixed with water and curing ingredients to form a product mixture. The mixture is heated to above 120.degree. F. wherein protein within the product mixture is substantially denatured. The product is then mixed further and then heated to at least 180.degree. F. Finishing processing takes the product mixture to a water activity level of 0.85 or less. In one embodiment, encapsulated salt is added with the curing ingredients. In another embodiment regular salt is added after the protein has been denatured. In both embodiments, the salt does not reach the protein within the bacon until the protein has been denatured.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a dried or semi-dried meat product, such as casingless sausage, especially such a sausage popularly known as "meat sticks," though not limited thereto. A pre-formed meat emulsion with a moisture content in excess of 30% by weight, and a fat content in the range from about 5% to 50% by weight, is formed into the desired cross sectional shape and then frozen; thereafter, the sausage is optionally smoked, but, whether smoked or not, it is then dried at temperatures in excess of about 40.degree. F until the moisture content is in the range from about 10% to 30% by weight.