An example modular meal system includes two or more modular meal components. Example modular meal components include a tray, a meal component disposed within the tray, and a sauce component disposed within the tray. The meal component is selected from a protein component, a starch component, a vegetable component, an appetizer component, and a dessert component. Each modular meal component is configured and/or formulated to reach at least 165 F. or at least 167 F. when heated from frozen for a heating time period within the range of from about 20 minutes to about 60 minutes and at a heating temperature within the range of about 350 F. to about 450 F.

An example modular meal system includes two or more modular meal components. Example modular meal components include a tray, a meal component disposed within the tray, and a sauce component disposed within the tray. The meal component is selected from a protein component, a starch component, a vegetable component, an appetizer component, and a dessert component. Each modular meal component is configured and/or formulated to reach at least 165 F. or at least 167 F. when heated from frozen for a heating time period within the range of from about 20 minutes to about 60 minutes and at a heating temperature within the range of about 350 F. to about 450 F.

Methods of producing ready-to-eat pasta that has improved taste, texture, and color are disclosed. The methods include blanching pasta in acidified water, draining, cooling, and packaging the pasta, and thermally processing the packaged pasta. Also disclosed are products containing ready-to-eat pasta sealed in a container, wherein the pasta has a pH above about 4.5, and wherein the container is substantially free of added liquid.

The present invention relates to a dough composition suitable for frying, comprising fruit juice powder (FJP).

A cooking procedure to cook pasta; the procedure comprises a water feeding step. During which a given quantity of liquid water at a temperature of at least 50? C. is fed to a container; and a vapour feeding step, during which a given quantity of water vapour is fed to the container containing a given quantity of pasta for an amount of time ranging from 7 to 40 seconds; the vapour feeding step is at least partially simultaneous with or subsequent to the water feeding step.

A method for manufacturing frozen noodles including a step of subjecting raw noodles or dried noodles manufactured by an ordinary method to boiling treatment to produce boiled noodles containing moisture less than moisture of the noodles after cooking, a step of applying water to surfaces of the boiled noodles by sprinkling or dipping, a step of filling a freezing container with the boiled noodles having water applied to the surfaces and an ice lump containing frozen water, and a step of subjecting the boiled noodles to freezing treatment, in which the freezing treatment is started within 120 seconds from an end of the boiling treatment.

Provided is frozen noodles in which freezer burn is unlikely to occur. A method for producing frozen noodles comprises: a step of attaching a composition to cooked noodles, the composition comprising at least water, oil or fat and a polysaccharide thickener, and having a viscosity of from 30 to 2000 mPa.Math.s at 60 C.; and a step of freezing the noodles to which the composition has attached.

[Problem to be Solved] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing instant fried noodles that are inhibited from puffing as compared with ordinary fried noodles, and thus have a texture with denseness and high clearness.

[Solution] A noodle belt is prepared from a noodle dough obtained by kneading a main raw material powder with 20 to 60 mi of a liquid-form edible fat or oil added per kg of the main raw material powder, the noodle belt is rolled out into a prescribed noodle thickness by performing rolling operation three times or less, the rolled noodle belt is cut into noodle strings using a cutting blade, and the noodle strings are steamed and fry drying; whereby instant fried noodles that have a texture with denseness as compared with ordinary fried noodles and thus have high clearness can be produced. The number of times of performing the rolling operation for the noodle belt is more preferably twice or less, and an amount of the liquid-form edible fat or oil added is more preferably 30 to 50 ml.

Provided is a method for manufacturing instant fried noodles having a high degree of gelatinization and having a good taste and texture, the method comprising frying raw noodle strings in oil without steaming, and drying the noodle strings. This method for manufacturing instant fried noodles comprises: preparing a dough by kneading a noodle raw material containing a main raw material, water, and at least one calcium-containing material selected from the group consisting of baked calcium and calcium hydroxide; cutting out raw noodle strings from the dough; and frying the raw noodle strings in oil without steaming the raw noodle strings, and drying the noodle strings.

Provided is a method for producing frozen noodles comprising: a step of attaching a composition comprising xanthan gum and having a viscosity of from 30 to 2000 mPa.Math.s at 60 C. to cooked noodles obtained by cooking fresh noodles produced by a rolling noodle-manufacturing method; and a step of freezing the noodles to which the composition has attached.