Abstract: Fully cooked, starchy foodstuffs, such as rice and pasta, are preserved against microbiological spoilage by treatment with a predetermined quantity of an edible acid. Packages of fully cooked starchy foodstuffs are provided which are shelf-stable for periods in excess of 6 months and are neutralized to a proper pH to avoid sourness. Ready-to-eat meals of neutralized acid preserved starchy foodstuffs are also provided. Edible alkaline neutralizing agents may be used to balance the pH. Also provided are methods for producing shelf-stable fully cooked, starchy foodstuffs wherein measured quantities of acid are introduced to fully cooked, starchy foodstuffs to inhibit microbiological growth.

Abstract: A method for making a couscous-like product from scrap generated during conventional pasta production.

Abstract: It has been discovered that dried extruded pasta shapes prepared in certain ways display a high toleration for exposure to water at temperatures of less than boiling. This toleration is conveniently evaluated by cooking in a microwave over and then extracting with room temperature water to determine if the starch loss is less than 7.0 weight percent. This toleration is obtained by exposing the extruded pasta shapes to temperatures of about 180.degree. F. or greater, temperatures of about 165.degree. F. or greater if the pasta contains a low temperature coagulatable protein such as egg whites or simple room temperature aging if the pasta contains both a low temperature coagulatable protein and a sulfhydryl reducing agent such as 1-cysteine hydrochloride. This toleration makes the pasta amenable to a number of cooking procedures such as presoaking in cold water prior to cooling (thus dramatically reducing the cooking time), and cooking in a microwave oven.

Abstract: Fully cooked, starchy foodstuffs, such as rice and pasta, are preserved against microbiological spoilage by treatment with a predetermined quantity of an edible acid. Packages of fully cooked starchy foodstuffs are provided which are self-stable for periods in excess of 6 months and are neutralized to a proper pH to avoid sourness. Ready-to-eat meals of neutralized acid preserved starchy foodstuffs are also provided. Edible alkaline neutralizing agents are used to balance the pH. Also provided are methods for producing shelf-stable packages of fully cooked, starchy foodstuffs wherein measured quantities of acid are introduced to fully cooked, starchy foodstuffs to inhibit microbiological growth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing low calorie pasta product comprising glutinous flour, an added fiber source, a reducing agent, and water. The use of a reducing agent in the method of the invention neutralizes oxidizers present in or on the surface of the added fiber source whereby improved texture and mouth feel of high fiber-containing pasta is achieved. The amount of corn fiber, soy fiber, oat fiber, etc. in the pasta can be up to about 30 percent by weight without adverse effect on paste texture or color. By replacing some of the glutinous flour in the pasta with bulk fiber, the calorie content of the pasta is reduced.

Abstract: A free-flowing uniformly flavorant coated unpopped corn and method of preparation thereof wherein the unpopped corn is essentially oil and fat-free and retains a substantial amount of added salt and flavorant upon popping in a hot air popper comprising unpopped corn coated with an adherent flavoring consisting essentially of an edible adhesive, e.g. gelatin, an edible salt and optional colorants and flavors.

Abstract: A food chip process that involves subjecting a comminuted starch-containing food composition having a controlled moisture content, illustratively, about 25 percent to about 40 percent by weight where a corn masa constitutes the food composition, to compression at a pressure of at least 1000 psig and at a temperature of no more than 110.degree. F., and sequentially, and without drying, frying the compressed composition in an edible oil. The process relates, as well, where a corn masa is employed, to partial gelatinization of the corn used in preparation of the masa.