Abstract: A process for preparing dough, in particular a corn dough, for the preparation of snack foods such as, for example, corn chips, tortillas, taco shells or the like, in which ground cereals are mixed with water to form a mixture, the mixture is heated and subsequently cooled. The mixture is heated only to a temperature slightly above the gelatinization temperature of the cereal starch, and the mixture is cooled as early as after only partial gelatinization of the cereal starch.

Abstract: A process for forming a snack product and a snack formed therefrom with discontinuous characteristics. The process includes forming a first highly cohesive dough and a second less cohesive dough matrix, combining the first and second discrete dough components into a composite dough sheet, cutting the dough sheet into a multiplicity of dough preforms, and frying the preforms to produce a snack with discontinuous characteristics.

Abstract: An improved method for the production of extruded cereal grain-based fried food products having improved qualities is provided. In the improved method, the cereal grain-based food product is formed by extrusion of a cereal grain dough mass containing a gum such as carboxymethyl cellulose and optionally a protein, followed by frying the extruded cereal grain dough to produce a fried cereal grain food product having reduced gumminess or toothpacking and grittiness.

Abstract: An improved method for the production of extruded cereal grain-based fried food products having improved qualities is provided. In the improved method, the cereal grain-based food product is formed by extrusion of a cereal grain dough mass containing a protein, followed by frying the extruded cereal grain dough to produce a fried cereal grain food product having reduced gumminess or toothpacking and grittiness.

Abstract: A method for producing a water-based bran, such as oat bran, snack product or chip wherein a doughlike mixture of oat bran, masa, gluten flour and water is mixed , and fried to produce a stable dry chip or snack product. The unique process forms a stable chip which delivers large doses of oat bran to the consumer. The product, when sold in 31/2 oz. portions delivers 1 oz. of oat bran exceeding the minimum recommended daily requirement for oat bran.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a starting powder mixture composed of raw tapioca starch mixed with durum semolina and/or wheat flour is kneaded together with water added thereto, and the resulting kneaded dough material is passed through an extruder, whereby the dough material is extruded to provide extruded raw noodle strings each having at least one groove extending longitudinally in the noodle string. Or alternatively, said kneaded dough material is extruded through an extruder to form a web of the dough for use in the formation of noodle, and the resulting noodle-forming, extruded dough web is engraved to form therein a plurality of parallel grooves extending in the direction of the extrusion molding. The resulting noodle-forming dough web having a plurality of the grooves is cut by means of cutting blade(s) at the zones of the web interposed between the respective grooves of the web to provide raw noodle strings each having at least one groove extending longitudinally in the noodle string.

Abstract: Tortilla chips having improved flavor, sweetness and textural characteristics, as well as enhanced nutritional values, are provided using a combination of whole kernel dried corn and germinated grain such as corn to produce a masa dough. Germinated grain contributes a "sweet" flavor as a consequence of the high concentration of natural sugars in the sprouted material. The sprouted corn also contributes substantial fiber and nutritional values to tortilla chips. Specialized methods and systems for producing and processing masa dough having a germinated fraction are required as a consequence of the unique consistency and higher fiber content of the masa dough mixture.

Abstract: A healthful snack food containing wheat flour is made by frying a readily hydrated pasta product made by an extrusion process using low shear cooking conditions and moisture venting before extrusion.

Abstract: A doughnut making machine and apparatus has a hopper for the dough of a type which exudes gluten or other sticky substances when compressed, the hopper terminates in a lower cylinder which co-acts with the cutting surfaces on a lower cutting piston. An extruding piston pushes the dough out between the cutting edge of the cylinder and the cutting piston and, thereafter, with retraction of the cutting piston, the dough is severed into a conventional toroidal shape and falls in cooking oil in a frying tank. Cooking oil from the frying tank is distributed onto the cutting edges of the piston and the cutting edge of the cylinder by various distribution techniques. Cooking oil is picked up from the frying tank using a dipstick and is transmitted to the dough cutting surfaces using gravity and capillary action.

Abstract: A process for producing expanded corn snack products. The products are preferably made in a fluted ring shape, and have an expanded, airy texture. The process for producing the products includes successive cutting steps wherein the corn is comminuted to a relatively narrow particle size distribution with most of the corn retained on a #40 or #60 mesh screen. The corn is comminuted by impelling whole cooked corn kernels against a blade and through a screen having a ratio of open area screen material of from about 1:1 to about 3:1.

Abstract: A process for preparing low fat shaped snack products having a light, crispy, crunchy texture is disclosed. A dough is formed from 50% to 80% flour, preferably potato flour, and water (20% to 50%), and formed into a sheet from which snack pieces are cut. The snack pieces are coated with an oil, constrained in a mold and cooked, preferably with hot air or superheated steam, to provide a snack having 10% to 20% fat and having a fried-like texture and flavor.

Abstract: A process for preparing low fat shaped snack products having a light, crispy, crunchy texture is disclosed. A dough is formed from 50% to 80% flour, preferably potato flour, and water (20% to 50%), and formed into a sheet from which snack pieces are cut or are extruded. The snack pieces are constrained in a mold, fried to a moisture content of from about 5% to about 15% and then the excess fat removed by stripping with superheated steam having an average steam velocity of at least 800 lb./hr./ft..sup.2. A snack having 12% to 25% fat and having a fried-like texture and flavor and a moisture content less than 6% is made by this process.

Abstract: In the method of making expanded foodstuffs in which a dough emerges from the nozzle of an extruder and the extrudate is subjected to an after-treatment in a hot medium, the extrudate is kept after emergence from the nozzle at a temperature which corresponds substantially to the emergence temperature of the dough and the after-treatment takes place directly after the extrusion. In particular the dough can be extruded directly into hot oil or fat. Since after the extrusion no cooling of the extrudate takes place, in particular by water evaporation, the extrudate can be further expanded in the a after-treatment and a foodstuff is obtained with a texture which is identical to the texture of foodstuffs which after the extrusion and prior to the treatment in a hot medium have been subjected to a drying process.

Abstract: Extrusion-cooked snack chips, comprising from about 65% to about 90% by weight of cereal material, from about 10% to about 35% by weight of fat, and from about 0.2% to about 3.0% by weight of water. A process for producing these chips is also disclosed.

Abstract: A crisp, palatable, reduced calorie whole grain snack food is produced by subjecting initially tempering whole grains such as wheat, barley, corn, oats, rice and sorghum to a micronizing process wherein the whole grain(s) are partially precooked through application of near infrared radiation. Thereafter, the micronized grain is mixed with water and other optional ingredients and preconditioned with agitation and steam/water addition. After preconditioning, the mixture is directed to a twin screw extruder in order to form an extrudate of desired shape and size. The extrudate is then heat treated to crisp the outer surface thereof, typically through the use of oven heating and/or frying. The resultant snack product preferably has a whole grain content of at least about 50% by weight and a low total fat content on the order of about 20% by weight or less.

Abstract: A healthful snack food of durum semolina wheat flour made by frying a readily hydrated pasta product such as from an extrusion process using low shear cooking conditions and moisture venting before extrusion.

Abstract: A doughnut making machine and apparatus has a hopper for the dough of a type which exudes gluten or other sticky substances when compressed, the hopper terminates in a lower cylinder which co-acts with the cutting surfaces on a lower cutting piston. An extruding piston pushes the dough out between the cutting edge of the cylinder and the cutting piston and, thereafter, with retraction of the cutting piston, the dough is severed into a conventional toroidal shape. Edible release oil is distributed onto the cutting edges of the piston and the cutting edge of the cylinder by various distribution techniques. The method by which doughnuts are extruded in a generally toroidal shape while distributing a film of edible release oil onto the dough cutting surfaces and then severing the formed toroidal shaped doughnut from the cutting surfaces whereby the doughnut contacts the release oil on the dough cutting surface and freely releases from the cylinder's cutting edge.

Abstract: A process for producing expanded corn snack products. The products are preferably made in a fluted ring shape, and have an expanded, airy texture. The process for producing the products includes successive cutting steps wherein the corn is comminuted to a relatively narrow particle size distribution with most of the corn retained on a #40 or #60 mesh screen. The corn is comminuted by impelling whole cooked corn kernels against a blade and through a screen having a ratio of open area:screen material of from about 1:1 to about 3:1.

Abstract: A fried and crispy conically shaped taco-shell made from a heart shaped flat tortilla bent along a vertical axis to form a conical shell so as to present an overlapping portion of its edge and almost closed pike. It may optionally be held inside a wet-proof conical cup covering a third or more of the total length of the shell.

Abstract: The invention comprises a dough preform which when fried, produces a snack chip product having a predetermined level of surface bubbling. The dough preform has outer dough portions having substantially less moisture than inner dough portion. The dough preform is made by a process that includes sheeting a dough having from about 30% to about 55% moisture, removing a portion of the moisture from the dough sheet, at a greater rate from the outer dough portions than from the inner dough portion and then frying the partially dried dough prior to any significant equilibration of moisture between the outer and inner dough portions. The moisture can be removed from the dough sheet or preform by heat, air movement or a combination of the two.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid and continuous process for making corn dough masa and tortilla chips by processing non-hydrated corn feed, an alkalizing agent, and water through a cooker-extruder under certain process parameters so as to make the masa and subsequently the finished tortilla product. The corn feed can be any form of corn ranging from whole kernel corn to finely ground corn flour. The extruder process conditions use a Specific Mechanical Energy input of 300 to 550 watt hours per kilogram of material fed to the extruder; a Residence Time Distribution of from about 175 to 400 seconds; a Shear Rate of 65 to 140 reciprocal seconds; and a Peak Temperature of 230.degree. F. to 270.degree. F.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuous production of tortilla chips, including mixing tortilla flour and water to form a dough, rolling the dough into a coninuous sheet, cutting tortilla shapes from the sheet, moving the tortilla shapes continuously through a baking oven to produce baked products, moving the baked products continuously along an equilibration conveyor to substantially equalize the moisture content of each baked product throughout the product to form an equilibrated product, moving the equilibrated product continuously through a refrigeration unit to cool the product to form a cooled product, cutting the cooled products into chip shapes, and moving the chip shapes to a fryer to produce the tortilla chips. The frying step may be continuous or batch as desired.

Abstract: Corrugated snack food pieces are fabricated from a dough directed through a pair of mated corrugated sheeting rolls. The dough is impressed with the corrugated pattern of the sheeting rolls and subsequently cut into individual snack food pieces. The dough is fed directly into the sheeting rolls so that no prior memory is imparted to the dough sheet prior to receiving its corrugated shape. The corrugated sheeting rolls may be scored transverse to the corrugations to provide transverse webs of dough between adjacent corrugations.

Abstract: Starch-based dough suitable for making fried starch-based chip-type snack foods containing non-potato food pieces, preferably vegetable pieces, that retain their physical integrity during vigorous processing and frying conditions and are visible in the finished chip product. Said dough comprises from about 50% to about 75% starch-based component; from about 30% to about 40% water; and from about 0.05% to about 4% coated non-potato food pieces. Said starch-based component is preferably dehydrated potatoes. The coating on said non-potato food pieces is a pregelatinized starch. In the process for making the dough product, pregelatinized starch is coated onto the non-potato food pieces prior to mixing said pieces into the other dough components.

Abstract: A process for preparing donuts having reduced fat and substantially uniform texture is described herein. The process includes providing a donut mix containing about 0.2-10% by weight of polyvinylpyrrolidone blending with water, making donut shaped forms therefrom, and cooking by submersion in heated edible fat.

Abstract: Process for preparing a foodstuff product such as croutons, characterized in that pieces of dough are at least partially baked and thereby expanded, whereafter the expanded pieces of foodstuff obtained are possibly further reduced in size and subsequently provided with a thermosetting coating layer, which coating layer comprises a film-forming material.Preferably, the coated pieces of foodstuff are subjected to a heat treatment. Preferably, a film-forming material rich in protein is used.

Abstract: A donut batter is described, along with the use of the batter to provide frozen, uncooked cake donuts which may be reconstituted quickly in a deep fryer. The batter consisting preferably of cake and bread flours, sucrose, shortening, a chemical leavening system and other ingredients is admixed with an amount of water which will allow proper mixing of the ingredients and the ability of the stiff batter to withstand shaping, freezing, shipping and storage. The frozen donut is reconstituted without thawing and proofing by immersing the product in cooking oil for about 100 seconds at 350.degree. F. Flavoring can be added to the donut, and the finished product may be dusted or topped with other materials conventionally used in the preparation of cake donuts by other techniques. The selection of the cross-sectional diameter of the frozen donuts is an important factor in the process of the present invention to ensure proper exterior texture and color and proper interior doneness.

Abstract: A method of making a tortilla cone with a closed apex, and including a kit to help facilitate the operation so that a large number of tortilla cones may be formed and cooked at one time. The kit and method of using it includes a set of cone forming molds each consisting of a pliable metallic conical body having an overlapping convex surface about which a tortilla patty having a tear shape may be positioned and wrapped in cone from so as to close the come form at its apex. The method of using the kit includes using a first mold as a female receptacle and using a second mold as both a female and male receptacle to wrap a tortilla patty to the mold and secure the same between the two molds.

Abstract: A frozen fried food is prepared by coating a food material to be fried with a particle/powder mixture comprising porous particles and a hygroscopic powder at a ratio by weight of 1:10 to 10:1, optionally semi-frying the coated material, and then freezing the same. The fried food thus obtained has a crunchy coating and shows a crispy and fresh-fried texture not only when fried in oil but also when heated in a microwave oven or an ordinary oven and maintains said texture for a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: Dough pieces are dockered by a rotating flexible bristle brush to form dockering holes in the dough to prevent puffing during frying. The flexible bristles increase the point density of dockering holes in the dough while avoiding sticking or wrinkling of the dough during the dockering step.

Abstract: A process for preparing a yeast raised doughnut comprising fermenting a dough, degassing the same, cutting and forming the dough and then frying the same in oil.

Abstract: Improved fried food potato-based products are formulated by the addition of certain water absorbent cellulosic fibers (hereinafter "fibrous cellulosic material"), preferably those high in pectin (hereinafter "cellulosic absorbent material"), most preferably Modified Citrus Absorbent Material (hereinafter "MCAM") or sugar beet pulp absorbent material (hereinafter "SAM") to the dough thereof to achieve increased workability of said dough after mixing and storage, and enhanced texture and flavor of said fried foods after frying. In addition, increased retention of crispness after the microwave reheating thereof in a fry-freeze-microwave cycle is accomplished. Most preferred fiber source is the highly pectinated cellulosic fiber MCAM, derived from citrus albedo, and is added to the potato-based dough in an amount approximately equal to 6% by weight.

Abstract: A process for making fried expanded snack products includes preparing a moist dough principally from solids, such as corn or potato solids. Larger particle size dry food particles, such as wheat or rice particles, are included in the dough. The dough is then formed, such as by roller-forming, into a thin sheet, and dough pieces cut from the sheeted dough are fried in hot cooking oil to form a fried expanded snack. The larger food particles project through or are contained in the surface of each dough piece to cause steam to escape during frying, which greatly reduces "puffing", i.e., formation of undesired bubbles in the snack, during frying. By providing a sufficient number of larger particles with an average particle size at least about to the thickness of the dough piece (so that an appreciable number of particles can project through or be contained in the surface of the dough piece), formation of undesired large bubbles is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A fried food article having improved crispness. Inner and outer pastry shells are provided, the inner shell sealedly containing a desired filling, and the outer shell being disposed thereabouts. Means are provided in the outer shell design for decreasing deep frying time to achieve desired outer shell crispness while avoiding undesirable drying out of the filling. In one embodiment, such means takes the form of a plurality of apertures in the outer shell to facilitate frying oil substantially contacting both the inner and outer surfaces of the outer shell. In an alternate embodiment, spacing means are provided alone or in combination with the apertures providing heat insulation between the inner and outer shells in the former case, and additional space for hot oil in the latter case, both to enance the resultant crispness of the food article upon frying.

Abstract: An improved process for making dough crust in which docked dough pieces are cooked in multiple stages. Cooking can include an initial baking step in which the dough is essentially completely cooked and its interior structure substantially completely set, and a subsequent deep frying step which produces a crisp exterior and a desirable fried dough taste with substantially no change to the interior structure and only limited oil penetration. The multiple cooking steps can include a plurality of sequential baking steps in which the dough is baked at differing temperatures in each zone. The dough can be produced by a laminated process in which multiple layers of sheeted dough are layered one on top of the other with shortening therebetween, and cooked by a multiple zone oven having differing temperatures.

Abstract: A pretreatment method of frying processing comprises the steps of; dipping a raw material into a sugar solution thereby enabling the material to endure a relatively high temperature; drying-up a fried product for a short period of time without deteriorating the quality thereof at relatively high temperature; and raising the oil temperature at the beginning of frying processing rather than in the middle of the frying processing to stabilize the oil temperature as well as increasing the amount of water initially evaporated thereby shortening the time required for the frying processing.

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: Fried snack food product in ribbon-like form, preferably spiral, of a masa dough that has been ground and then further comminuted by cutting to have a maximum particle size of 0.05 inch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cooking or reheating a comestible with microwave energy by utilizing a double-boiler cooking utensil. The double-boiler utensil contains a microwave susceptible liquid within an outer vessel and a cooking oil or fat within an inner vessel with the inner vessel providing conductive heat transfer between the microwave susceptible liquid and the cooking oil or fat. The process involves placing a comestible in the cooking oil or fat within the inner vessel and irradiating the cooking utensil containing the comestible for a period of time effective to cook the comestible. The microwave susceptible liquid when subjected to microwave energy functions to transfer sufficient heat to the cooking oil or fat to maintain a temperature on the surface of the comestible within the range of from 125.degree. C. to 225.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an edible container of processed corn by first preparing a creamy cohesive, cooked corn dough and then injecting or pumping the corn dough into a heated mold for sufficient time to bake the corn dough. The resulting molded, baked corn product is then allowed to equilibrate such that trapped moisture migrates to the surface and is then fried in cooking oil to a final moisture content of less than 2%.

Abstract: A small, inexpensive doughnut fryer has a conveyor and separate elevator that are driven from the same shaft without interference with one another. Sprockets for driving the elevator are recessed to receive rods from the conveyor. The entire conveyor assembly is provided with a quick release coupling to the power supply. A method and apparatus for moving objects to be fried through a hot frying liquid by producing intermittent waves and eddies in the liquid in the desired direction of travel to propel the objects in a straight line.

Abstract: An extruded, cross-cut snack food product and a method and apparatus for producing extruded, generally planar food products having ridges and valleys formed on opposite sides thereof, wherein the ridges and valleys on each side are parallel to each other, but are at an angle relative to the ridges and valleys on the opposite side. As a result, an extruded food product piece with unique texture, flavor and appearance is produced having substantial strength.

Abstract: Thermostable cremes having exceptionally low water activities can be produced by dispersing a hydrocolloid in corn syrup; dispersing a modified starch and albumin in the colloidal dispersion; aerating the dispersion; and cooking the dipersion. These cremes exhibit excellent texture while offering the advantages of an extended shelf life.

Abstract: A method for producing fried snack products of controlled shape comprises introducing dough pieces into a shallow depth of frying oil and allowing the dough pieces to travel unsupported through the oil while frying to a set shape. The shallow depth of the oil prevents the pieces from overturning in the oil while frying, so they form a controlled shape. In one embodiment, a two-layer sheeted dough is formed from dissimilar potato-based dough layers adhered and cut into layered dough pieces introduced into the shallow oil depth. The first layer is on the bottom and the second layer is at the top of each dough piece. The layered dough pieces maintain their original orientation in the shallow oil depth as they fry to form a fried potato skin product having a convexly curved upper layer and a concavely curved bottom layer. The dough pieces are partially fried in the shallow oil depth to set the curved shape, after which the partially fried pieces are finish-fried in a greater depth of frying oil.

Abstract: A process for making a corn chip with potato chip texture is described. The chip has increased mouthmelt, crispness, and lightness like potato chips and it is less hard and gritty than standard corn chips. It also has a distinctive corn flavor. In a preferred process, corn is cooked in water at 140.degree. F. (60.degree. C.) to 212.degree. F. (100.degree. C.) for 30 minutes to 4 hours. The corn hulls are removed, and the corn is comminuted. A starch material is cooked in water until it is adequately hydrated, and then comminuted. The comminuted corn and starch material are mixed together to form a dough having a ratio of corn to starch material of 95:5 to 80:20. The dough is extruded, formed into a sheet, cut into segments, and deep-fried to form the finished chip.

Abstract: A high moisture, highly stable, breakfast pastry which comprises a dough shell surrounding an encased, flavored filling material. The pastry is suitable for cooking/frying, freezing, subsequent thawing, and toasting. For products of this type, this breakfast pastry has an unusually high moisture content, and because of the special composition and processing of both the shell and the interior filling, there is a unique stability at the interface of the two, which minimizes often occurring undesirable phenomena, such as moisture migration, color deterioration, dough sogginess, and flavor loss.

Abstract: A high moisture, highly stable, breakfast pastry which comprises a dough shell surrounding an encased, flavored filling material. The pastry is suitable for cooking/frying, freezing, subsequent thawing, and toasting. For products of this type, this breakfast pastry has an unusually high moisture content, and because of the special composition and processing of both the dough shell and the interior filling, there is a unique stability at the interface of the two, which minimizes often occurring undesirable phenomena, such as moisture migration, color deterioration, dough sogginess, and flavor loss.

Abstract: A method for treating sliced or sheeted starchy foods before frying, in which the slices are washed in oil containing emulsifiers such as lecithin before introduction into the fryer.

Abstract: An improved bakeable or fryable pizza dough is made by forming in a dough sheet a footprint of embossed or compressed zones along a grid-like set of lines wherein at the point where the grid lines would intersect the dough remains uncompressed.

Abstract: A quick decompression oil-frying method for producing food products. The method comprises uniformly heating a food material to a suitable temperature in an atmosphere of a pressure which ranges between normal pressure and a raised pressure, rapidly decompressing the atmosphere to such a low pressure that the water contained in the food material is evaporated at a temperature below the temperature of the food material and at such a rate as to permit the expansion of the food material, drying the food material in an oil of a temperature substantially equal to the temperature of the food material and restoring the normal pressure.