Soft and creamy lipid-based food fillings suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure cooking co-extrusion are provided. In one approach, the filling includes about 30 to about 45 weight percent of an edible lipid having a melting point of about 45° C. or lower, about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent of a high oil-binding capacity material having an oil-binding capacity of at least about 100%, about 10 to about 30 weight percent of amorphous materials, and less than 30 weight percent sugar, sugar alcohol, or combinations thereof. The fillings generally have a particle size distribution with D50 of about 25 microns or less. Preferably, the fillings have a low water activity of about 0.45 or less and are substantially free of polyhydric alcohols and polyhydric alcohol-based humectants. The fillings maintain their soft and creamy texture after high-temperature, high-pressure cooking co-extrusion, subsequent baking, and throughout storage.

A shelf stable aggregate foods are described that include a relatively low amount of binder, such as a dairy binder or maltodextrin binder. Methods of making a shelf stable aggregate food include the forming a moist aggregate using a positive displacement method.

A food product flavoring apparatus is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a removable container configured to contain a flavor target, a device for agitating the flavor target, and a housing. The housing is configured to receive the agitated flavor target when the removable container is adjacent the housing such that the container opening is aligned with the housing opening. The apparatus further includes a device for applying a flavoring agent to the agitated flavor target a device for removing substantially all residual flavoring agent from the housing after the flavor target has been flavored. A method of applying a flavoring agent to a flavor target is also provided.

Disclosed are improved sugar coatings for topically pre-sweetened food products that are sugar reduced whether in the form of a syrup or in the form of a dried coating. The syrup form is useful as an intermediate product in the preparation of pre-sweetened food products. In dry form, the present formulations can be a component part of a composite food product especially in the form of a topical coating or filling. The present invention is particularly suited for the preparation of R-T-E pre-sweetened cereals. The coating formulations comprise less than 70% sucrose, corn syrup and 1-20% non-hydrated integrated starch and preferably about 5-10% insoluble mineral salts each of particle size of about 50 microns.

Disclosed are improved sugar coatings for topically pre-sweetened food products that are sugar reduced whether in the form of a syrup or in the form of a dried coating. The syrup form is useful as an intermediate product in the preparation of pre-sweetened food products. In dry form, the present formulations can be a component part of a composite food product especially in the form of a topical coating or filling. The present invention is particularly suited for the preparation of R-T-E pre-sweetened cereals. The coating formulations comprise less than 70% sucrose, corn syrup and 1-20% non-hydrated integrated starch and preferably about 5-10% insoluble mineral salts each of particle size of about 50 microns.

A coating having no non-intact sugar sources and having a good texture, flavor, structure, and bowl life is described. A coating includes erythritol in an amount of about 40% to about 70% by dry weight and a sprouted whole grain ingredient in an amount of about 10% to about 30% by dry weight. Also described are coated food pieces and methods of making coated food pieces using a novel coating.

A coated food product is produced by combining a plurality of dry ingredients to form a dry mix and combining the dry mix with water to form a dough. A plurality of base pieces is formed from the dough. A slurry is prepared by combining at least sucrose, fruit purée and calcium carbonate. The slurry is combined with the plurality of base pieces to coat the plurality of base pieces and form a plurality of coated base pieces. After preparing the slurry and before combining the slurry with the plurality of base pieces, the slurry is stored or held for at least 30 minutes.

A coated food product is produced by combining a plurality of dry ingredients to form a dry mix and combining the dry mix with water to form a dough. A plurality of base pieces is formed from the dough. A slurry is prepared by combining at least sucrose, fruit purée and calcium carbonate. The slurry is combined with the plurality of base pieces to coat the plurality of base pieces and form a plurality of coated base pieces. After preparing the slurry and before combining the slurry with the plurality of base pieces, the slurry is stored or held for at least 30 minutes.

The invention relates to instant rice and a preparation process thereof. The components comprise sticky-free glutinous rice, milk powder, multigrain powder, fruit and vegetable powder, nut powder. The preparation process comprises following steps: 1) making sticky-free glutinous rice; 2) adding auxiliary materials; 3) packaging. The invention has the following advantages: simple components, convenient preparation, convenience, feeling full, nutrition, delicious taste and other advantages, and is more suitable for large-scale centralized production, and has a high hygienic index, the industrial standards of its production can be customized to avoid the disadvantages of poor hygienic conditions in snack bars that fail to meet hygienic requirements, it is suitable for single packaging, transportation and long-term storage, and is conducive to the rapid development of the food culture and customs of powder food brewing. It has a wide range of application scenarios, high market commercial value, and benefits the country and people.

The invention relates to instant rice and a preparation process thereof. The components comprise sticky-free glutinous rice, milk powder, multigrain powder, fruit and vegetable powder, nut powder. The preparation process comprises following steps: 1) making sticky-free glutinous rice; 2) adding auxiliary materials; 3) packaging. The invention has the following advantages: simple components, convenient preparation, convenience, feeling full, nutrition, delicious taste and other advantages, and is more suitable for large-scale centralized production, and has a high hygienic index, the industrial standards of its production can be customized to avoid the disadvantages of poor hygienic conditions in snack bars that fail to meet hygienic requirements, it is suitable for single packaging, transportation and long-term storage, and is conducive to the rapid development of the food culture and customs of powder food brewing. It has a wide range of application scenarios, high market commercial value, and benefits the country and people.