The method of producing a meat-like food product according to the present invention includes adding a plant-derived protein and a form of granular powder (A) satisfying the conditions (1) to (4) below to food product materials to prepare a dough. The dough contains 0% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less of an animal-derived protein material. (1) The form of granular powder has a starch content of 75% by mass or more; (2) the form of granular powder contains 3% by mass or more and 45% by mass or less of a molecular weight-reduced starch of a starch having an amylose content of 5% by mass or more, the molecular weight-reduced starch having a peak molecular weight of 3×10.sup.3 or more and 5×10.sup.4 or less; (3) the form of granular powder has a degree of swelling in cold water at 25° C. of 5 or more and 20 or less; and (4) the content of matters under a sieve having an opening of 3.35 mm and on a sieve having an opening of 0.038 mm is 50% by mass or more and 100% by mass or less.

One or more methods are disclosed to provide for the preparation of a food product that can be quickly cooked, while exhibiting flavors, textures, and colors of more traditional and time consuming cooking methods. The method produces a food product with the full flavor profile of barbeque, with the ease of a ready-made meal. The preparation prior to packaging facilitates a Maillard reaction and carmelization of the food product. The method can include marinating the food product, searing an outside portion of the food product, smoking the food product, vacuum sealing and then cooking the food product using a sous vide method. The prepared food product can then be easily heated by the end user for consumption.

A guided cooking method uses a plurality of cooking appliances and a remote user interface device. The remote user interface device receives an input indicating a food item and generates a list of recommendations, including at least one recommended cooking appliance and at least one recommended cycle, for preparing the indicated food item. The method also includes receiving a selection response corresponding to one entry from the list of recommendations via the remote user interface device. The method may then include transmitting a signal from the remote user interface device to the cooking appliance indicated by the selection response to activate the cooking appliance to perform the cycle indicated by the selection response, or providing step-by-step instructions, from the remote user interface device, for operating the cooking appliance indicated by the selection response to perform the cycle indicated by the selection response.

A system and method for storing, preserving and cooking meals using the sous-vide technique. The system and method of the present invention is designed to automatically cook, upon request a meal having various ingredients by immersing bagged food in temperature-controlled liquid. The cooking time may be manually or automatically programmed from downloaded cooking direction associated with the food. The cooking request may be given by a user from the physical apparatus or using a mobile device application.

A system and method for storing, preserving and cooking meals using the sous-vide technique. The system and method of the present invention is designed to automatically cook, upon request a meal having various ingredients by immersing bagged food in temperature-controlled liquid. The cooking time may be manually or automatically programmed from downloaded cooking direction associated with the food. The cooking request may be given by a user from the physical apparatus or using a mobile device application.

A steam regulation valve, includes: a first portion, a second portion, and a flow path defined by the first portion and the second portion. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion to decrease a cross-sectional area of the flow path in response to an increase in pressure applied to the second portion.

A system and method for producing a comestible baked product in complex shapes using cast molding wherein a portion of the interior cavity forms a baking cup which can optionally receive a liner. Embodiments generally include a first part and second part that are configured to be joined together along a seam. When configured, an outer surface is created and an inner surface cavity which creates a contiguous internal hollow space in the form of a three dimensional shape is formed. A portion of this internal hollow space forms a cup. The mold may provide a means for supporting the mold in a special and beneficial baking orientation such as inverted; the cup may be in a form other than circular shape. Other embodiments may include a single piece that is attachable to the rim of a cup of a multi-cup baking pan or to a single stand-alone cup.

A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.

A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.

A temperature-regulated apparatus for food and drink preparation and storage, particularly for refrigeration and sous vide cooking. The apparatus is preferably a consumer electronic device comprising a compartment, base, reservoir, tube network, heating and cooling element, and an air pump system. The apparatus is controlled electronically and wirelessly in connection with a hardware and software system.