Improvements in and relating to a cooking apparatus A container (201) for storing and steaming food is disclosed, together with a packaged food product, a method of packaging food items and a method of cooking food items. The container (201) comprises a first compartment (202) for containing a steam source and a second compartment (203) for containing at least one food item. The second compartment (203) is disposed above the first compartment (202). Preferably, the first compartment (202) is separated from the second compartment (203) by a partition (221) and an adjustable barrier (240), the partition (201) comprising at least one opening (223) for admitting water vapour into the second compartment (203) from the first compartment (202). Preferably, the adjustable barrier (240) is movable from a) a food storing configuration in which the adjustable barrier (240) prevents flow of at least one of i) liquid and ii) gas from the first compartment (202) to the second compartment (203), to b) a food steaming configuration in which at least one of i) liquid and ii) gas is able to flow between the first and second compartments (202, 203).

Improvements in and relating to a cooking apparatus A container (201) for storing and steaming food is disclosed, together with a packaged food product, a method of packaging food items and a method of cooking food items. The container (201) comprises a first compartment (202) for containing a steam source and a second compartment (203) for containing at least one food item. The second compartment (203) is disposed above the first compartment (202). Preferably, the first compartment (202) is separated from the second compartment (203) by a partition (221) and an adjustable barrier (240), the partition (201) comprising at least one opening (223) for admitting water vapour into the second compartment (203) from the first compartment (202). Preferably, the adjustable barrier (240) is movable from a) a food storing configuration in which the adjustable barrier (240) prevents flow of at least one of i) liquid and ii) gas from the first compartment (202) to the second compartment (203), to b) a food steaming configuration in which at least one of i) liquid and ii) gas is able to flow between the first and second compartments (202, 203).

A turkey cooking apparatus provides a pot and a specially configured insert (e.g., basket) that rests upon the pot bottom. A lower funnel shaped section and upper tube shaped section are provided inside the pot. The insert (e.g., basket) sits upon funnel shaped portion. The insert has a central opening that is receptive of the tubed portion. Both the insert and the tube section can have openings that enable steam to travel upwardly to cook the turkey carcass.

A turkey cooking apparatus provides a pot and a specially configured insert (e.g., basket) that rests upon the pot bottom. A lower funnel shaped section and upper tube shaped section are provided inside the pot. The insert (e.g., basket) sits upon funnel shaped portion. The insert has a central opening that is receptive of the tubed portion. Both the insert and the tube section can have openings that enable steam to travel upwardly to cook the turkey carcass.

Apparatus and methods for cooking seitan and other food products are provided. An example device includes a semi-cylindrical lower portion coupled to a semi-cylindrical upper portion coupled together on one side by a hinge allowing the device to open and close. The device, in the open configuration, is structured to receive a food product such as seitan. The device can be closed around the food product, enclosing it in a cylindrical chamber. A fastener is structured to fasten the device shut on the side of the device opposite the hinge. The device has several openings allowing liquid to flow into the chamber during the cooking process. The device includes supports which allow cooking liquid to drain from the chamber.

The present invention discloses a steam disperser and a steamer having the same, comprising a steamer grid bottom plate and a steamer grid tube vertically connected with the steamer grid bottom plate. The steamer grid tube is positioned in the middle position of the steamer grid bottom plate; and a plurality of through vent holes are formed on the tube wall of the steamer grid tube and the steamer grid bottom plate. The present invention is provided with the steamer grid tube with a plurality of vent holes in the middle position of an original one-piece gas steamer grid. During use, steam and heat can be evenly distributed around food from bottom to top through the steamer grid tube to allow all the food on the steamer grid bottom plate to be evenly heated and cooked.

The present invention discloses a steam disperser and a steamer having the same, comprising a steamer grid bottom plate and a steamer grid tube vertically connected with the steamer grid bottom plate. The steamer grid tube is positioned in the middle position of the steamer grid bottom plate; and a plurality of through vent holes are formed on the tube wall of the steamer grid tube and the steamer grid bottom plate. The present invention is provided with the steamer grid tube with a plurality of vent holes in the middle position of an original one-piece gas steamer grid. During use, steam and heat can be evenly distributed around food from bottom to top through the steamer grid tube to allow all the food on the steamer grid bottom plate to be evenly heated and cooked.

A spice tempering device. In one version, the spice tempering device includes a truncated conical container, a support member, a fitted strainer basket, and a lid. The container has an open top and a closed base, the closed base having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the open top. The fitted strainer basket is insertable through the open top of the container and holds the spices to be tempered. Oil is added to the container and the closed base is heated to temper the spices. In one version, the lid includes a spice divider with multiple slotted compartments on top of a spice tray. A slot in the spice tray can be positioned under a desired slotted compartment to add the desired spices.

A spice tempering device. In one version, the spice tempering device includes a truncated conical container, a support member, a fitted strainer basket, and a lid. The container has an open top and a closed base, the closed base having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the open top. The fitted strainer basket is insertable through the open top of the container and holds the spices to be tempered. Oil is added to the container and the closed base is heated to temper the spices. In one version, the lid includes a spice divider with multiple slotted compartments on top of a spice tray. A slot in the spice tray can be positioned under a desired slotted compartment to add the desired spices.

A bagel cookware comprises a round bagel tray sized to hold about four bagels in a twelve-inch pot of boiling water. The bagel tray has about four vertical bagel support rods and a central socket comprising a cylindrical collar. This cylindrical collar has a pair of bosses to receive a hollow end of a lifting handle. When the handle is twisted the bosses engage a pair of L shaped retainer channels in a hollow mouth at the bottom of the handle. The handle also has a series of anti-floatation screens so the bagels cannot float while boiling. The chef can use the removable handle to place the cookware in boiling water, then pick up the cookware, tilt the cookware, and place it in an oven. Commercial embodiments could use robotics and hold dozens of bagels on an equivalent apparatus. Alternative embodiments include a stamped anti-flotation screen, a hollow central socket, and hollow, tapered bagel support rods. The hollow mouth of the handle allows a controlled tilting of the entire bagel cookware during the phases of cooking.