Abstract: At least one opening is formed in the periphery of a sealed filled pasta product in sealed edges of two superposed leaves of pasta having a filling material between the leaves to form a filled pasta product having at least one formed opening in its periphery. The filled pasta product may be dried or may be blanched and dried.

Abstract: A pizza sauce composite preform and a method for making the same are provided. The pizza sauce composite preform comprises a pizza sauce which includes a heat-reversible gelling agent. When activated, the gelling agent causes the pizza sauce to at least partially congeal at room temperature or below so that it may be retained in place on a non-edible support surface. Upon further cooling, the pizza sauce forms a more complete gel structure which, even after warming to room temperature, allows the preform to be handled as a cohesive mass and placed and repositioned on a pizza crust without tearing, breaking or smearing of the disk. The pizza sauce composite preform may optionally include cheese and assorted pizza toppings. To form a pizza with the present preform, the preform is removed from the support surface and is combined with a pizza crust shell. The pizza may then be cooked and served.

Abstract: A preproofed, uncooked dough is provided with improved storage stability. The dough product is packaged in a sealed package and stored at a temperature of less than about 45.degree. (7.degree. C.) and, if the package contains headspace, a substantial portion of the gas therein is the same as the leavening gas, carbon dioxide, and the dough also contains a polyol.

Abstract: A process of making a filled bagel dough product and the product formed thereby. One process comprises the steps of mixing and kneading a quantity of bagel dough, including yeast; sealing a filler such as cream cheese within a bagel dough shell; proofing the product, steaming the product, and browning the product, with the product optionally being frozen after either of the steaming or browning steps. The process is preferably used to produce a novel relatively large (half pound) platelet shaped filled bagel dough product, preferably with toppings.

Abstract: A process of making a filled bagel dough product and the product formed thereby. One process comprises the steps of mixing and kneading a quantity of bagel dough, including yeast; sealing a filler such as cream cheese within a bagel dough shell; pressing against the product to deform the product, either with or without penetration of the bagel dough shell, to thereby form the product into a semi-toroid, toroid, or platelet shape; proofing the product; optionally freezing the proofed product; boiling the frozen product, and browning the boiled product. Thereafter the product may be consumed or refrozen. The process is preferably used to produce a novel relatively large (half pound) platelet shaped filled bagel dough product with a distinctive New York bagel dough taste, with a fresh tasting cream cheese filler included inside the shell, and with toppings optionally provided on the upper surface.

Abstract: A method of making an intermediate stabilized dough shape by heating a proofed dough shape with a combination of convection and microwave heating sufficient to stabilize the dough shape, to form a light skin thereon, to inhibit moisture loss from the interior thereof, and to decrease microbial activity therein. The pastry dough shape has an interior and an exterior, and the light skin is formed on the exterior to provide a moisture barrier and structural integrity sufficient to inhibit moisture loss from the interior and retain the shape during heating, handling, storage and cooking thereof to a finished product.

Abstract: Baked food products are produced by forming a flat sheet of dough and feeding the sheet to a nip between a pair of contra-rotating rollers arranged with their curved surfaces in contact with each other, and each of the rollers has grooves indented into its curved surface. The rollers push the dough into the grooves and form the dough into a lattice comprising an array of ridges imparted to the dough by one of the rollers, which ridges are spaced apart from and extend in substantially the same direction as each other, and an array of ridges imparted to the dough by the other roller, which ridges are spaced apart from and extend in substantially the same direction as each other. The direction in which the ridges of one array extend are at an angle to that of the other array so that the ridges of one array intersect the ridges of the other, and the contacting portions of the curved surfaces of the rollers form apertures in the dough between the intersecting ridges.

Abstract: A substantially anhydrous filler cream for reduced fat sandwich cookies which retains injected air for extended periods of time is produced by replacing a substantial portion of the filler cream fat with a polyol, preferably glycerol. Exemplary replacement ratios may range from about 0.85 to about 1.6 parts by weight of polyol per part by weight of oleaginous composition or fat replaced. The polyol also provides lubricity for a smooth mouthfeel to compensate for the reduced amount of oleaginous composition. Excessive adhesion or gluing of the filler cream to the sandwich cookie base cake does not result from replacement of a portion of the oleaginous composition with the polyol. Polyol and fat separation is avoided prior to, during, and after aeration using emulsifiers which comprise at least about 80% by weight, preferably at least about 90% by weight monoglycerides and have an iodine value of at least 60, for example, from about 80 to about 120, preferably from about 90 to about 115.

Abstract: A method and composition for preparing battered and breaded food compositions which resist absorbing oil during deep fat frying. The breading composition is prepared by enriching the breading formulation with calcium. This is accomplished by either dry blending, spray drying or agglomerating (e.g., spray coating or application with subsequent drying), by baking the calcium source into the bread crumb or any combination of the above. The battered and breaded food composition is then treated, with a solution of calcium reactive pectin. The calcium-pectin coating functions to significantly impede the absorption and adsorption of frying oil, increases the moisture content, the crispness and heat lamp stability of the food composition. Alternatively, the food may first be treated with the calcium reactive pectin and then the calcium source, depending upon the circumstances of use.

Abstract: A process for preparing a gel coated food substrate comprising: a) applying an aqueous batter dispersion having sodium ion sources, calcium ion sources or a combination of sodium ion sources and calcium ion sources, to the surface of a food substrate to form a batter-food substrate complex; b) contacting the batter-food substrate complex with a dry bread material to form a breaded complex; and c) applying an aqueous gel-forming solution to the breaded batter-food substrate complex to form a thermally irreversible gel film around the complex.

Abstract: A pre-baked microwaveable dough composition comprising a dough of flour, plasticizer, water, and a leavening agent; a crisping agent dispersed across the dough; and, optionally, a topping wherein said dough comprises from about 0 wt-% to 50 wt-% water and from about 15 wt-% to 35 wt-% plasticizer. The invention also comprises a method of preparing a pre-baked microwaveable dough composition.

Abstract: A sheet of a fresh dough formed from a dough stock incorporating up to 4% salt is subjected to cross rolling. The fresh pasta product obtained from such sheet dough has extended shelf-life while retaining the original organoleptic properties unaltered.

Abstract: A dry coating composition for imparting the texture, taste and appearance of batter fried foods to baked foodstuffs comprising 10 to 50% by weight binding agents, the binding agents containing egg white solids and gelatin, and 15 to 70% by weight bulking agents, the bulking agents containing pre-fried crumbs and/or cereal crumbs or fines. A well balanced proportion of egg white solids and gelatin provides a uniform, continuous, cohesive film that closely resembles the inner layer of a batter fried product and acts as a binder for the other coating ingredients to help retain moisture.

Abstract: Improved ready-to-bake frozen, laminated doughs comprise:a flour component and, based on the weight of the flour:45-70 wt. % water5-10 wt. % yeast0.1-4.0 wt. % emulsifierthe flour-component being composed of:80-99 wt. % natural flour20-1 wt. % artificial flourthe artificial flour consisting of:30-70 wt. % protein70-30 wt. % modified starchThe laminated product has 8-80 fatlayers and contains, based on the weight of the flour, 35-85 wt. % fat.

Abstract: Disclosed are puffed multilayered R-T-E breakfast cereal pieces and methods of preparation. In preferred embodiments, the cereal pieces have at least three cereal layers. The bulk density ranges from about 0.06 to 0.15 g/cc. The methods for fabricating the present multilayered R-T-E cereal pieces comprise: A) preparing at least three separate sheets of cooked cereal dough(s), B) layering the sheets with pressure to form a laminated sheet, C) forming individual pieces from the laminated sheet, D) drying the pieces to 9% to 13% moisture, and E) high intensity microwave puffing the pieces to form R-T-E cereals with multiple layers. The high intensity microwave field is characterized by a field strength of about 150 to 350 V/cm.

Abstract: A process for producing fresh three-layered noodles by: preparing an outer-layer dough by kneading grain flour with water; preparing an inner-layer dough by adding, to grain flour, (a) at least one alkaline agent and (b) an alginic acid compound selected from the group consisting of an alginic acid, an alginic acid salt, and mixtures thereof, and kneading with water; preparing dough sheets from each of the inner-layer and the outer-layer dough through rolling of said inner- and outer-layer dough, and rolling the obtained dough sheets to make a layered dough sheet of an outer-layer/inner-layer/outer-layer structure; preparing noodle strands by cutting the layered dough sheet having such three-layer structure, and gelatinizing the noodle strands; and treating the gelatinized noodle strands with a solution of one or more acids to acidify the noodle strands.

Abstract: A ridged dough product is made by a method for making a ridged dough. The method includes preparing a dough and processing the dough with a means for providing ridges and valleys on the outer surface of the dough, such as a die. The ridged dough product exhibits a moisture gradient across the thickness of the dough.

Abstract: A allium flavored flour as well as to a method of making a flavored flour dough product. The allium flavored flour comprises flour and allium oil capsules formed by protein coacervation. The allium oil capsules are heat-stable and fracturable, and are added in an amount sufficient for flavoring when the flour is formed into a dough. Because the allium oil capsules are heat-stable, the allium oil does not affect the rheology of the dough during dough processing, baking or cooking and because the capsules are fracturable on chewing, the dough product provides a uniform and sustained allium flavor when eaten. The flavored flour or dough product further includes free allium material in an amount sufficient to reduce the mix time required to develop the dough and may be combined with the oil capsules in a customized blend to provide the desired level of flavor and affect on dough rheology.

Abstract: A coated, baked canine biscuit having enhanced palatability. The edible coating includes: (a) about 20 to about 40 weight percent of at least one dextrin or at least one maltodextrin; (b) about 0.2 to about 2 weight percent of at least one edible acidulent; (c) about 0.1 to about 1 weight percent of at least one edible antimycotic agent; (d) about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent of lecithin or at least one modified lecithin; (e) about 0.3 to about 5 weight percent of at least one polysaccharide gum; (f) about 1 to about 10 weight percent of at least one flavorant; (g) about 1 to about 10 weight percent of at least one food starch or at least one modified food starch; (h) about 1 to about 10 weight percent of vegetable fat; (i) about 30 to about 70 weight percent of meat solids; and (j) about 3 to about 16 weight percent of animal fat. All of the weight percents are based on the total weight of the dried coating minus the moisture content thereof.

Abstract: The invention is a composite food subsystem that provides a sweet or savory-flavored thermostable filling having an ultra-low water activity. The thermostable filling is, also, thixotropic or "shear thinning". The filling includes an edible hydrophilic liquid phase. A stabilizing network of ultrahigh surface area cellulose particulates are dispersed and reactivated in the hydrophilic liquid phase. A solid phase admixture can be added as a fine powder. The thermostable filling is desirable for use in methods for making co-extruded or co-laminated products of multi-textures.

Abstract: A process for providing fried battered and breaded food products with enhanced crispiness and golden brown color, wherein fat, caloric content and loss of volatile flavor components are controlled and shelf life of the frying medium is increased, in which a substrate having a moisture content over about 35% is battered and breaded, coated with a protein dispersion and heated to form a protein film.

Abstract: A high amylose flour-based dry batter mix and wet batter slurry are disclosed. The wet batter slurry mixture is capable of providing an adherent and evenly distributed coating over the surface of a dough-enrobed foodstuff, and which, after pre-frying in oil or fat and being cooked by microwave radiation, will provide an outer crust having an appealing toast color and a desired level of crispness. Also disclosed is a microwaveable pre-fried batter-coated, dough-enrobed foodstuff, the cooked product being characterized as having a cooked food filling covered by a moist, cooked dough layer and a crisp, browned outer crust layer.

Abstract: Combination of at least two different food components for consumption in the freshly mixed state and packed in a sealable beaker or cup, comprising an aqueous, creamy or pasty fresh milk product and a hydrophilic, granular or flake-like dry cereal product. Both the aqueous fresh milk product and the hydrophilic dry cereal product are packed in the same cup. A premature softening of the dry cereal product is prevented by a hydrophobic fat barrier between the fresh milk product and the dry cereal product.

Abstract: An indented, invertable food pan may be used to produce combinable halves of a sturdy composite food product. The food pan has an open end, a closed end and an end wall. At the closed end, the end wall has at least one indentation partially or completely surrounding a raised center. The indented end wall divides the pan into two complementary shaped hollow volumes, with each of the volumes adapted to be filled with one of the two food compositions. Removing the food compositions from the hollow volumes produces two complementary food shapes which are then combined to produce a first composite half of the final composite food product. A second identical half formed in the same manner is inverted and stacked onto the first half to produce the final composite food product. In one embodiment, the end wall has a plurality of indentations to define a plurality of hollow volumes at the closed end. Each hollow volume is used to produce a separately concealed filling, with one filling for each serving portion.

Abstract: A filled bagel dough product has a hollow spherical shell filled with cream cheese. The dough is formed into an open ball, which is sealed after insertion of a scoop of cream cheese. The filled ball is steamed to skin outer and inner crusts, then baked to provide a dense crumb. The resulting product is freezable for long shelf-life.

Abstract: A powder-form composition of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline incorporated with a support of maltodextrin and/or cyclodextrin. The composition is prepared by hydrolyzing a 2-(1-alkoxyethenyl)-1-pyrroline with an acid to obtain a reaction medium, adding an equimolar amount of a base to the reaction medium to obtain a neutralized reaction medium containing 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, combining maltodextrin and/or cyclodextrin with the neutralized reaction medium to obtain a support solution and freeze-drying the support solution to obtain the composition.

Abstract: A pizza mold for forming pizza dough includes a frame having a peripheral configuration which matches the desired peripheral configuration of the dough, e.g., round, rectangular or square. One surface of the frame includes a plurality of concentric cavities formed at predetermined radial distances from the geometric axis of the frame, with one concentric cavity being formed adjacent the peripheral edge of the frame. The frame is designed to be brought into contact with the dough and the dough is formed (e.g., rolled) across the surface of the frame with the dough being formed in the concentric cavities. When the pizza mold is removed, the concentric cavities produce raised ridges of dough on the surface of the dough. The cavities can be formed in rings across the surface of the frame to create annular raised ridges for a round pizza, or the cavities can be formed in rectangles or squares across the surface of the frame to create rectangular or square raised ridges for a rectangular or square pizza.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of an expanded hollow confectionery which allows charging of an fatty confectionery dough by an injection method. The expanded hollow confectionery is prepared by charging raw materials of grain flour, starch, seasoning and water into a steam-processing machine to prepare a steam-boiled dough, charging the steam-boiled dough into a mixer to stir the same for entrapping air therein, shaping the air-entrapped dough into a sheet, overlapping the dough sheet on another dough sheet, stamping the double-layered dough sheet to obtain flat dough pieces, drying the dough pieces, so that specific gravity of the pieces becomes 1.18-1.25, and then heating the dried pieces to cause expansion thereof.

Abstract: A food product comprising a multilayer cookie or snack having outer layers formed from a crispy type edible food product such as a potato chip or corn chip, etc. with an intermediate marshmallow layer being in contact with the inner surface of each crispy chip and one or more filler substances such as chocolate, peanut butter spread, etc. disposed between the two marshmallow layers. The marshmallow layers act to bond the snack food item together while insulating the crispy chip from contact with the filler layers to substantially prevent said crispy chips from becoming soggy and non-crispy.

Abstract: The present invention is a procedure for preparing cooked foods which involve the use of a gellan gum batter to coat a food substrate to impart qualities which are typically associated with fried foods, including crispness and juiciness. Food products resulting from the procedure of the present invention contain low levels of fat and yet have the desirable qualities of fried foods.

Abstract: A precooked semi-manufactured product which is free from preservatives and is commercial. It is intended for processing to give a crispy food suitable as a snack and features a) a casing made of noodles, optionally mixed with sesame, and b) a savory or sweet filling. The noodles are bonded together by mixing the vegetable oil. To produce the semi-manufactured product, the noodles are cooked al dente, rinsed, allowed to drain thoroughly in a sieve, mixed thoroughly with vegetable oil and laid in the bottom part of a well buttered mold. The mold is composed of heat-conducting material, which is safe for the food industry. The filling is laid on to the middle of the noodle layer and covered well with noodles. The well buttered lid is put on. The mold is firmly closed and heated for approximately 5 minutes in an oil bath at approximately 200.degree. C. During this, no oil may penetrate into the mold.

Abstract: The invention concerns laminated doughs, wherein an aqueous gel containing 20-50 wt. % of maltodextrin and 0-30 wt. % of .beta.-glucan and/or pentosans is present as fat replacer; in this way, doughs can be made that contain less than 14 wt. % of fat so that a fat reduction (compared with a conventional dough) of at least 50% can be obtained.

Abstract: A process and product for improving the tenderness of cooked pancakes that are microwaved. The process includes applying water to the cooked pancake so that the moisture of each pancake is increased by about 6%-to-12% to about 45%-to-52% by weight. The pancake product of the present invention has an improved tenderness when compared with other cooked microwavable pancakes, not surface-treated with water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a flavored, enrobed pasta product, said process comprising: (a) applying a first aqueous composition to pasta; (b) contacting said pasta with an edible coating material to form a coated pasta; (c) applying a second aqueous composition in conjunction with intermixing of the coated pasta; and (d) drying said coated pasta. The present invention further comprises a flavored, enrobed pasta product prepared in accordance with the above-described process.

Abstract: A tumbling bed of edible cores is formed which has a longitudinal axis extending from an entrance end to an exit end of the tumbling bed. Individual edible cores travel through the tumbling bed from the entrance end to the exit end by rotating in a generally helical path along the longitudinal axis of the bed. The edible cores are coated within the bed by repeatedly tumbling through both a wet zone(s) and a dry zone(s) formed within the bed. These wet and dry zones are formed, respectively, by spraying the surface of the tumbling bed with a hydrating liquid and by dusting the surface of the tumbling bed with a farinaceous powder. Both the wet and dry zones thus formed are generally rectangular, but not overlapping, zones with the major dimensions of these rectangular zones being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tumbling bed.

Abstract: A marshmallow-type confection which is rendered heat stable to 400.degree. F. (250.degree. C.) by the inclusion of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and which optionally includes at least one natural gum. In additional embodiments, the inventive confection [1] comprises entirely vegetal matter by the replacement of the animal-origin gelatin normally present with a vegetal gum, and/or [2] comprises a reduced calorie confection by the replacement of higher calorie sugars by non-caloric and/or lower-calorie bulking agents comprising additional amounts of MCC and, optionally, lower calorie sugar.

Abstract: A process for producing biscuits comprises forming a dough into generally laminar portions each having a corrugated configuration and baking the portions to form biscuits. The corrugated configuration is such that the resistance to breaking of the biscuits is greater in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the corrugations extend than in the direction in which the corrugations extend by a factor of at least 1.5. In a preferred process, dough is formed into a sheet 1b having a corrugated configuration (preferably by feeding a flat sheet of dough to a pair of corrugated rollers 6). Individual portions are cut out from the corrugated sheet 1b and baked to form the biscuits.

Abstract: Ready-to-eat, low or no fat granola cereal is prepared from a 60% to 85% cereal base by coating the cereal base with 10% to 30% sugars and drying. The granola cereal product contains little or no added fat and from 30% to 50% cereal flakes, 10% to 40% other cereal ingredients including 5% to 20% crisp rice, 5% to 20% rolled grains and up to 20% cereal flour. Optionally from 1% to 5% maltodextrin is added to tackify the product.

Abstract: A method for preparation of a pasta-based food product is disclosed. The method comprises several steps. Pieces of pasta are cooked to form pieces of cooked pasta. The cooked pasta is mixed with a binding composition comprising a binding agent that is either soy protein, or an egg white composition consisting of either egg whites or a mixture of powdered egg white and water. The pasta and binding agent are mixed in a cooked pasta to binding agent weight ratio of from about 40:1 to about 10:1, to form a pasta/egg white mixture. A desired amount of the mixture is formed into a desired shape and the desired shape of mixture is baked until the pieces of cooked pasta adhere together, yet remain moist. A pasta-based food product prepared by such method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding a dough leaf 30 about a filling 32 comprises a series of folding pans 26.1 to 26.6. Each folding pan is foldable with respect to the next pan in the series about a folding axis 28.1 to 28.5, and is provided with a weighted plunger 34 which is connected to the folding pan by a lost motion connection. The weighted plunger serves to hold the dough leaf down while the pan is displaced from the folded position back towards the unfolded position, to prevent the dough from sticking to the pan.

Abstract: A baked composite dough product comprising a puff pastry dough sheet having attached thereto, at least at one side, a sheet of pastry dough which acts as an anchoring layer for a moisture-barrier coating which is applied on to the pastry layer after baking.The invention also relates to said baked products with a moist filling material applied on to the moisture-barrier coating.

Abstract: A process for producing a pizza crust, comprising the steps of: fitting uncooked dough into a base template, placing a first cover template thereover, pressing down the first cover template and removing the first cover template, to thereby form a base layer; and supplying uncooked dough over the formed base layer, placing a second cover template thereover, pressing down the second cover template and removing the second cover template, to thereby prepare a top layer; and a pizza crust produced thereby.

Abstract: Bakery compositions and baked goods which have taste and organoleptic properties equal to or superior to the same types of products prepared in accordance with traditional, full fat formulations, have substantially reduced fat contents. One or both of a dough formulation and a roll-in spread positioned between layers of the rolled dough formulation have substantially reduced fat contents. A fat substitute which is substantially fat free or contains only very low levels of fat is incorporated into either or both of the dough formulation and of the roll-in formulation.

Abstract: This invention provides a high purity particulate fatty acid salt product, which is a calcium salt derivative of a fatty acid mixture such as those obtained from vegetable oil and animal tallow sources.In a preferred embodiment, the invention fatty acid calcium salt product is substantially free of glyceride ingredient and odorant impurities, and optionally contains a flavor and aroma enhancing additive.

Abstract: The invention is a composite food subsystem that provides a sweet or savory flavored thermostable filling having an ultra-low water activity. The thermostable filling is, also, thixotropic or "shear thinning". The filling includes an edible hydrophilic liquid phase. A stabilizing network of ultrahigh surface area cellulose particulates are dispersed and reactivated in the hydrophilic liquid phase. A solid phase admixture can be added as a fine powder. The thermostable filling is desirable for use in methods for making co-extruded or co-laminated products of multi-textures.

Abstract: An anhydrous cheese-based product is provided which may be made into a cheese-based dry flake for incorporation into baked goods and flour confections, or which may be used in the preparation of snack items. The cheese-based product comprises from substantially 0 to 2% by weight of moisture, from about 20% to about 50% by weight of cheese solids, with the balance being cheese-compatible oils. The cheese solids are naturally occurring cheese solids that are derived from cheeses from which substantially all water has been removed, and thereby comprise the butterfat, protein, and lactose constituents of cheese. The cheese-compatible and bakery-compatible oils must be selected from the group consisting of suitable vegetable oils, butter oils, or other dairy fats, and mixtures thereof, which exhibit generally similar solid fat index and melting point characteristics as those of butterfat; and they must be miscible with the butterfat constituent of cheese solids, in any proportion, at temperatures of about 35.

Abstract: A sealant for baked goods which reduces the moisture migration into and out of the baked good comprising 40-72% sucrose by weight, 8-30% starch hydrolysate by weight having a DE of 38 or less, and 20-30% water by weight wherein 70-80% of the barrier is comprised of solids. A method for producing the sealant is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for preparing a dough product comprising the steps of:(a) preparing a dough;(b) forming one or more sheets of said dough into a layered body(c) slicing the layered body in a direction transverse to the layers; and(d) pressing the formed slice.Preferably, the dough is a laminated dough. The product is preferably filled to obtain a pizza.

Abstract: A method of making a substantially elongated soft pretzel product from pretzel dough with the end product having an edible filling comprising the steps providing the combination of soft pretzel dough upon which an edible food has been positioned. The soft pretzel combination is formed into a soft pretzel dough product where the edible food is substantially enclosed by the dough. The soft pretzel combination is then baked as desired. Additionally, the combination may be subjected to a coloring agent or a caustic soda solution to provide a desired final appearance.

Abstract: A process for the formation of an edible container, and edible containers produced thereby. The process includes the steps of forming the dough into a generally continuous sheet, positioning the dough on a baking surface, baking the dough on the baking surface, and removing the baked product from the baking surface before heating to remove residual moisture. A crumb mixture may be applied to the surface of the container prior to baking. The edible containers are useful for holding a variety of fillings, including liquid or semi-liquid fillings such as puddings and ice creams.