Abstract: Poultry pieces, preferably chicken, are breaded without forming a batter, by adhering high gluten flour dust to the pieces, hydrating the dust sufficiently to render the dust tacky, and then adhering breading to the hydrated dust. The product exhibits the favorable properties of breaded poultry while avoiding the unfavorable tendency of batters to separate from the underlying piece.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing hard pretzels is disclosed in which the pretzel dough is passed through an initial bath of hot caustic solution to cook the dough and to essentially caramelize its surface; the cooked and caramelized dough is then transported through a spray zone where it is sprayed with atomized hot caustic solution; and the sprayed product is salted with flake-type salt prior to hard baking. The process substantially improves flake-type salt retention at the surface of the pretzel and permits the use of lower concentrations of caustic while surprisingly improving the characteristic taste, texture and appearance of hard pretzels.

Abstract: A process of forming a browning composition for application to a surface of a food prior to exposure to microwave radiation is disclosed. The process includes the step of forming a solution comprising water, a reducing sugar and a proteinaceous substance, the ratio of reducing sugar to proteinaceous substance being effective to produce browning when applied to a surface of the food and when exposed to microwave radiation. The process also includes the step of prereacting the solution to a point prior to substantial coloration, before applying the solution to the food. A food product formed according to the above-described process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Described is a pizza food article having high shelf stability and having the advantage of avoidance of etching of oil through the dough. The invention also contemplates multi-layer pizza dough-containing pizza articles.

Abstract: In the manufacture of mozzarella cheese, aging can be dispensed with if the process is controlled to yield a combined moisture and wet milkfat content of at least about 70 weight percent, and the cheese will provide acceptable bake performance under typical cooking conditions used in the pizza industry today. Within about 48 hours after brining, the cheese should either be used or frozen. This discovery saves at least seven days of aging and permits the use of a continuous process of making mozzarella, which, from pasteurization to loading of the frozen product on the truck, can be performed in as little time as eight hours. In the continuous process, the hot stretched cheese from the kneading machine is extruded directly into cold brine. After the cheese has cooled sufficiently, it can be comminuted and frozen by independent quick freezing, preferably in a fluidized bed freezer. Salt preferably is mixed into the cheese during the kneading step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to edible cores, especially nuts (peanuts, cashews, etc.), having a desirable fruit flavoring. More particularly, the invention relates to edible cores which are prepared by coating with an adhesive solution containing a source of fruit flavoring and then roasting, to provide a snack having desired roasted taste and appearance and a fruit flavoring.

Abstract: Potato pieces, for example, potato slices, french fries, and potato cubes or potato skins are prepared with a lower fat content by frying the potato pieces in an oil comprising from about 0.5 to about 2% of a hydrophobic or a hydrophilic silica. The hydrophilic silicas are preferred for use in the frying fat because they are approved for food use. Alternatively, the potato pieces can be dipped in silica or water or oil containing silica.

Abstract: A glossy coating for fried and baked foods comprising gum arabic, tapioca dextrin and xanthan gum, in a dry blend, which is applied to a heated food substrate, preferably immediately after frying or baking.

Abstract: A snack product and its method of manufacture including obtaining an expanded farinaceous material initially containing up to 20% by weight moisture, battering and breading the material, and then baking and frying it.

Abstract: Potato pieces, for example, potato slices, french fries, and potato cubes or potato skins are prepared with a lower fat content by frying the potato pieces in an oil comprising from about 0.5 to about 2% of a hydrophobic silica. Alternatively, the potato pieces can be dipped in silica or water or oil containing silica.

Abstract: Described is a process for producing cooked browned baked goods including the steps of:(a) providing a particulate flowable flavoring powder which contains individually discretly encapsulated Maillard reaction reagents with the reaction reagents being at least one encapsulated amino acid and at least one encapsulated sugar;(b) providing an uncooked baked goods foodstuff, e.g., dough;(c) coating the composition of (a) onto the surface of the uncooked foodstuff; and(d) exposing the flavoring powder coated foodstuff surface to microwave radiation for a period of time to cause the foodstuff to be edible and to be brownedwhereby the resulting product is caused to be edible as a foodstuff and the baked goods is edibly browned.

Abstract: Nuts (peanuts, cashews, etc.) having desirable eye appeal, excellent taste and good storage stability are prepared by coating raw nuts with an adhesive solution containing honey, followed by a coating of powdered sugar, roasting the coated nuts, preferably in oil, and then applying a coating of a dry mixture of sugar and salt. The adhesive solution employed in the initial coating step preferably comprises a mixture of honey, corn syrup, sucrose, carbohydrate gum and water. The final coating is tightly adherent after roasting.A method of operating the process on a continuous basis is also described.

Abstract: A process for preparing improved french fried potatoes for subsequent reheating in a microwave oven is disclosed in which the potato strips are dust-coated with a thin layer of toasted potato granules and fat-encapsulated salt after frying in oil. In a preferred embodiment, potato strips are finish fried to a fully cooked, ready-to-eat condition and thereafter coated with a thin layer of toasted potato granules.

Abstract: A process for producing fully cooked french fried potatoes which, when reheated to a suitable consumption temperature, closely simulate the color, texture, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel and total eating experience of state of the art french fries prepared for serving in fast food restaurants, i.e., by deep fat frying. The process includes parfrying potato strips, cooling or freezing the parfried potato strips, dust coating with potato granules and thereafter finish frying the potato strips to a fully cooked, ready-to-eat condition. The potato strips are then gently frozen without any substantial desiccation. For consumption, the frozen finish fried potato strips are reheated to a suitable temperature for consumption via the use of a conventional or convection oven, heat lamp, or the like.

Abstract: A method of baking pizzas is provided in which freeflowing cheese granules are applied as a topping. The outer surfaces of the granules are coated with an aqueous carrier containing a cheese modifier for promoting the melting and fusing of the granules during baking.

Abstract: Described is a process for producing a cooked edibly browned storage-stable fibrous proteinaceous muscle tissue foodstuff including the steps of:(a) providing a particulate flowable flavoring powder which contains individually discretely encapsulated Maillard reaction reagents with the reaction reagents being at least one encapsulated amino acid and at least one encapsulated sugar;(b) providing an uncooked fibrous proteinaceous muscle tissue foodstuff containing more than 50% water;placing in intimate the contact with at least part of the surface of the foodstuff, a flavor augmenting, imparting or enhancing quantity of the particulate flowable flavoring powder of (a); andexposing the flavoring powder coated foodstuff surface to microwave powder-radiation for a period of time to cause the foodstuff to be ediblewhereby the resulting product is caused to be edible as a foodstuff and the cooked fibrous proteinaceous muscle tissue is edibly browned.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dextrin-based food-grade adhesives containing minor amounts of xanthan, or carboxymethylcellulose or combinations thereof. The present invention also relates to a process for coating a comestible substrate with dextrin-based food-grade adhesives including a minor proportion of one of the group consisting of xanthan, carboxymethylcellulose; or, combinations thereof. The adhesives of the present invention show substantially increased adhesion relative to corresponding dextrin-based adhesives lacking in the minor proportions of the above mentioned gums. The present invention holds special advantages in the manufacture of oil roasted nut meat products having spiced coatings by reducing the amount of such coatings that is lost to the oil during roasting. An improved process for producing oil roasted nut meats, which process reduces the amount of flavored coating lost to the oil during roasting, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Food coating compositions, e.g., sauces, are disclosed which impart desirable brown color and crisp texture to the surface of microwave-cooked foods. These sauces comprise a substantially water-immiscible liquid having dispersed therein effective amounts of a coagulant, and foodstuff which is grindable and exhibits crispness when substantially dehydrated and which has a low affinity for said water-immiscible liquid.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for preparing coated, frozen comestibles which are stable when stored for extended periods and which, when reconstituted by microwave heating or by baking, have a texture and appearance organoleptically equivalent or superior to that of fat fried coated comestibles, along with the products produced thereby.

Abstract: A breading crumb mixture and process for coating food products are disclosed. The crumb mixture and process impart a fried-like texture and flavor to the resultant food products. The breading crumb mixture comprises extruded flour dough crumbs, dielectrically baked crumbs and beaded shortening. The process of the invention includes the steps of coating a food product with a binding agent, breading the coated product with the breading crumb mixture, baking the breaded product in a humidified oven, applying edible oil in atomized form to the surface of the baked product, and exposing the baked product surface to high temperature heating for the purpose of browning and crisping.

Abstract: Meat and poultry portions, such as chicken breasts, are marinated uniformly with standardized quality under various conditions encountered in the manufacturing process. This quality is achieved by mixing a batch of raw products in a marinade to pass the products periodically out of the marinade. The meat and the marinade are simply metered to provide a predetermined amount of marinade to be absorbed by the meat. The meat is then simply mixed or agitated with the marinade until all the marinade is absorbed and the outer meat surfaces are covered by a myosin protein layer. A coating mixture of dry powders, including natural sugar solids, is applied to the moistened surface of the marinated meat and adheres to the myosin layer to produce a uniform thin glazing coat adhering to the product surface. Flavorings and spices in the coating mixture provide product taste, and sugar solids provide a product appearance.

Abstract: A process for producing highly palatable french fried potatoes which are prepared for serving by reheating in a conventional microwave oven is disclosed. The potato strips closely simulate the color, texture, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel and total eating experience of state of the art french fries prepared for serving in fast food restaurants, i.e., by deep fat frying. The process includes dust-coating blanched potato strips with granules derived from potato products, and thereafter finish frying the dust-coated potato strips in fat or oil until the moisture content of the potato strips is from about 20 to about 42 percent by weight and preferably cooling the fried potato strips. Thereafter, the potato strips are reheated in a conventional microwave oven.

Abstract: A process for producing highly palatable french fried potatoes which are prepared for serving by a short reheating period in a conventional deep fat fryer is disclosed. The potato strips closely simulate the color, texture, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel and total eating experience of state of the art french fries prepared for serving in fast food restaurants by deep fat frying. The process includes dust-coating blanched potato strips with granules derived from potato products, and thereafter finish frying the dust-coated potato strips in fat or oil until the moisture content of the potato strips is from about 34 to about 42 percent by weight. Thereafter, the potato strips are reheated by frying in a conventional deep fat fryer for a relatively short period of time, i.e., about 20 seconds. The finish fried potato strips have from about 30 to about 37 percent by weight moisture content.

Abstract: A frozen food product is prepared by coating a foodstuff first with an edible heat-settable adhesive fluid and then with a particulate material, and afterwards frying and deep-freezing the foodstuff, wherein the particulate material is in the form of frozen partially pre-fried particles of fresh root vegetables which particles have a moisture content of from 20% to 50% by weight based on the total weight of the particulate material.

Abstract: A method of making a low fat food item having the taste and flavor of a fried food product is disclosed. The food item is first wetted and then coated with a breading mixture. After spraying the food item with a mist of water until the breading composition appears sticky, the product is ready for cooking. The food item is then placed in a cooking tray and hot gas jets are directed against to coated surface of the food item at a temperature of 375.degree.-475.degree. F. for a time of 11-25 minutes. After cooking the food item is sprayed with a mist of water to turn the item uniformly brown. Food which has been cooked by this method can then be vacuum packed and retains its flavor for an extended period of time.

Abstract: Methods of producing coated, roasted nuts with distinctive honey flavor and golden medium brown roasted nut color comprising coating the nuts a single or successive times with nut coater slurry containing spray dried honey powder, adhesive agent, supplemental sweetener and water, and optionally with a nut coater mixture of modified instant starch and baker's special sugar, and roasting, as well as roasted nuts produced by the described method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for manufacturing reconstituted squid into ring shapes. The eatable parts of the cephalopods are washed and minced together at below zero temperatures. The pieces are then compacted into ring shaped molds. The product maintains its ring shape due to a high cohesion of the surface protein of each piece. The rings can then be dipped into batter or breadcrumbs and are then frozen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a concave shaped baked snack product coated with a particulate topping composition and a process for preparing it. The topping composition is made from a film-forming food starch and flavors and is applied to a sheeted dough prior to baking. During baking the topping composition becomes fused to the expanding dough base causing the edges of the dough sheet to lift up resulting in a desirable concave shaped coated snack product.

Abstract: A method for making pizzas having a substantially permanent crispness wherein a particular bread crumb material is used to modify the pizza dough so as to accomplish that result, the said crumb material comprising Japanese-style bread crumbs milled to provide a quantity of particle sizes at least small enough to pass through the screen of a U.S. Standard #20 sieve, and the pizza dough being modified by having the said crumb particles included in the dough mass forming the pizza crust.

Abstract: Nuts (peanuts, cashews, etc.) having desirable eye appeal, excellent taste and good storage stability are prepared by coating raw nuts with an adhesive solution containing honey, followed by a coating of powdered sugar, roasting the coated nuts, preferably in oil, and then applying a coating of a dry mixture of sugar and salt. The adhesive solution employed in the initial coating step preferably comprises a mixture of honey, corn syrup, sucrose, carbohydrate gum and water. The final coating is tightly adherent after roasting.

Abstract: A frozen confectionery product is formed as a bonded composite of an inner core of frozen dessert having a first liquid coating solidified around and physically bonded to the frozen core with a second coating of dry food crumbs partially embedded in the first coating. A third coating of liquid batter enrobes the first and second coating and is physically bonded thereto to form an integral, composite structure. The product may be stored for long intervals and transported without adverse effect on either frozen core or multi-layered coatings. The product is suitable for cooking in hot vegetable oil without adversely affecting the frozen core.

Abstract: Fresh root vegetables coat a battered foodstuff for a prefried and deep-frozen food product. The vegetables may be coated with a predusting flour. To prepare the food product, the vegetables, which may include predusting flour, are coated on the battered foodstuff, prefried and then deep-frozen. The battered foodstuff may be fed onto the vegetables on a conveyor and then more vegetables are fed onto the foodstuff.

Abstract: A process for keeping cooked poultry skin unwrinkled during low temperature storage wherein glazed cooked, skin-covered meat product is cooled to about 40.degree. F. followed by searing the skin at a high temperature then glazing once again and cooling to a refrigeration temperature for storage.

Abstract: Cheese of the kind used on pizzas is prepared in granular form, and frozen by an individual quick freezing method to maintain granule moisture and distribution. The resulting free-flowing granules can be baked on pizzas in frozen or partially frozen condition while obtaining as good quality baked pizzas as when fully thawed granule cheese is used. The problem of undue browning and blistering heretofore associated with the use of frozen cheese is avoided.

Abstract: A process for preparing a frozen battered food piece which comprises moistening the surface of the food piece with water, applying a thin layer of flour on to the food piece, coating with a batter, prefrying and finally deep-freezing characterised in that the batter is a Tempura batter containing a heat-treated wheat flour which does not form any substantial gluten network and which has been prepared by milling and drying whole grains which have previously been heat-treated with steam.

Abstract: Roadted nuts (peanuts, cashews, etc.) having desirable eye appeal, excellent taste and good storage stability are prepared by applying a predusting of a minor amount of an adhesive, film-forming material; coating raw nuts with an adhesive solution comprising an adhesive, film-forming material, honey and water; enrobing the adhesive coated nuts with a dry mixture of honey, sugar and salt; and subjecting the coated nuts to roasting, preferably air roasting. A method of operating the process on a continuous basis is also described.

Abstract: Frozen food products are coated with a novel coating composition which permits the food product to be reconstituted for consumption by the application of microwave energy and obtain the desired combination of textural properties, both of moistness of food substrate and crispness of coating. The coating composition comprises three components, namely a predust component applied to the food substrate, a batter component next applied to the food substrate, and finally a breading component. In the coating composition, the components adjacent the food portion coagulate during cooking and retard the migration of moisture from the food portion to the breading component while, at the same time, providing a controlled porosity to the exterior of the coated food substrate to permit migration of moisture and moisture vapor through the coating to the external environment.

Abstract: Flavoring compositions for topical, prebake application to baked dough products are produced by mixing a comminuted baked dough product, a low density oil absorbing starch hydrolysate, and flour to produce a dry ingredient mixture; mixing the dry ingredient mixture with a first melted fat having a Wiley melting point below about 120.degree. F.; mixing water with the dry ingredient mixture and first melted fat; mixing a second melted fat having a Wiley melting point above about 124.degree. F. with the dry ingredient mixture, first melted fat and water; and mixing at least one flavoring agent with the ingredients in one or more or the other steps. The method of the invention produces discrete particles of flavoring composition which can be topically applied to the surface of an unbaked dough such as a cracker preform, and baked to obtain a baked dough product having excellent flavor and texture variety.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a novel process for preparing breaded foods which, when baked, have the desirable characteristics of the deep-fat fried counterpart which is made possible by coating with a fat-emulsion, breading and thereafter overcoating with an egg white solution.

Abstract: Food coating compositions having an ability to produce crisp, brown coatings on food products cooked in microwave ovens comprise coating ingredients and at least one additional salt ingredient. Especially increased crisping is achieved by adding a combination of three salts, i.e., potassium acetate, potassium chloride and potassium bicarbonate; or potassium acetate, potassium chloride, and sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing battered and breaded comestibles, e.g., fish, and fried food products prepared therefrom which exhibit reductions in cooking fat absorbed during frying. The comestibles are prepared by applying an aqueous solution comprising about 25% to 35% of a film forming agent, e.g., gelatin or certain starches in amounts sufficient to provide weight ratio (dry basis) of agent to coating of about 0.15:1 to 0.55:1. Optionally, the coating can be subsequently dried, e.g., forced hot air convection at 250.degree. F. to 700.degree. F., (121.degree. C. to 371.degree. C.). Coated comestibles can contain a batter ranging from about 0.10:1 to 0.85:1 and breading to comestible weight ratio of 0.05:1 to 0.20:1. The coated comestibles can then be par-fried in hot oil for about 15 to 40 seconds. Oil absorption reductions upon frying range up to about 25% to 50%.

Abstract: A coated food product of this invention is produced by applying an aqueous dispersion containing water soluble algin to the surface of a food substrate. The aqueous dispersion has a viscosity effective to substantially uniformly coat the surface of the food substrate. A dry gelling mixture is then applied to the align-coated food substrate for a period of time sufficient to form a substantially continuous edible alginate film along the surface of the food substrate. The film is sufficient to effectively retard the migration of moisture from the surface of the food substrate thereby retarding dehydration thereof. The film is sufficient to constitute an oxygen barrier for retarding oxidation of the food substrate and to retain flavor within said food substrate. The dry gelling mixture comprises a dry carrier material and a dry gelling agent. The carrier material and gelling agent are in particulate form and have particle sizes sufficient to obtain a substantially uniform gelling mixture.

Abstract: A process for producing a snack product with an expanded coating comprising a core material selected from the group consisting of nuts, beans, seeds, expanded starchy materials coated with fatty confectionary material and shaped fatty confectionary material. While being tumbled, the core material is given a first coating by alternately sprinkling or spraying a 60:40 to 30:70 mixture by weight of a starchy flour that has small expandability but provides good savor and a highly expandable pregelatinized starchy flour and an aqueous sugar solution comprising corn syrup or a mixture of 1 part by weight of corn syrup and not more than 2 parts by weight of sucrose that is dissolved in water to give a refractive Brix value between 30 and 40.

Abstract: A roasted chicken coating mix is provided which imparts to a coated and baked poultry, the taste, texture and appearance of a roasted and basted poultry. This mix is of a controlled particle size and contains critical amounts of specific types of gelatin, shortening, dextrin and starch.

Abstract: The invention comprises a composition in pliable sheet form for wrapping a foodstuff to provide an edible coating and a fried appearance, taste and texture upon baking comprising an intimate admixture of a fat, water and a particulate farinaceous material suspended in a pliable sheet form by a gelatin matrix. The invention also includes a method of baking a foodstuff comprising wrapping said foodstuff in said sheet material and baking the same.

Abstract: A flexible dough is rolled into a sheet. A section of the sheet is removed and a pastry portion is inserted within the space where the section was removed. The sheet with the inserted pastry is prebaked. On the prebaked sheet are placed prepared foods such as pasta and meat and then the sheet with the prepared foods thereon and the inserted pastry are baked together, resulting in a food product, which after the portion has been removed, can be either eaten open on a platter or folded into a sandwich to be eaten in the hand apart from the pastry.

Abstract: Prefried, frozen food products, primarily seafood products are made in the form of a composite extrudate including a central core and an outer layer surrounding the core. The central core consists predominantly of coarsely ground seafood, such as clam meat, and the outer layer comprises the same seafood more finely ground and mixed with a binder. The extruded products suitably cut to length may be battered and breaded prior to prefrying and freezing.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with making a multi-layer pizza type product wherein, instead of a single pastry layer, two pastry layers are provided with a layer of ingredients over the second pastry layer. The method includes adding as a final layer over a first prebaked pastry layer, a layer of cheese, then stretching over this a layer of unbaked dough, partially baking the layers, adding a layer of ingredients to the upper surface of the partially baked pastry layer, and then baking the entire assembly at a specified temperature for a specified period of time until done.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process for the preparation of fried vegetables, particularly fried vegetables to be frozen.The process comprises coating pieces of the vegetable with a starch-containing product, blanching the coated pieces with steam and deep fat frying the coated and blanched pieces.

Abstract: Cheese of the kind used on pizzas is prepared in granular form, and frozen by an individual quick freezing method to maintain granule moisture and distribution. The resulting free-flowing granules can be baked on pizzas in frozen or partially frozen condition while obtaining as good quality baked pizzas as when fully thawed granule cheese is used. The problem of undue browning and blistering heretofore associated with the use of frozen cheese is avoided.