A taco shell maker for holding tortillas during deep frying. The taco shell maker includes a generally round disk folded to create a body having two half round edges. Two opposing tabs are generally centered on the half round edges. The body is preferably a little larger than the tortillas made into the taco shells, for example ½ inch larger diameter than the tortillas before folding. The tabs are folded outward about 180 degrees to be generally parallel to the body. The tabs may include flared out ends to facilitate sliding an edge of the tortilla between the body and each tab. The taco shell maker further allows frying the taco shell in oil in a typical frying pan, not requiring a deep fryer and using much less oil than a deep fryer. The heat of the oil and pan allows the tortilla to contour to the taco shell maker.

Water- and energy-saving systems and methods for producing lime-cooked masa are described. Such methods generally include adding water to maize kernel in a first predetermined proportion, the maize kernel having endosperm, germ, pericarp, and tip cap components. Using a first conditioner, the maize kernel is conditioned for a first predetermined amount of time to cause moisture absorption to within a first predetermined range. The maize kernel is limed. The maize kernel is cooked, using a cooker, in an environment of steam. After the maize kernel is cooked, water is added to the maize kernel in a second predetermined proportion and, using a second conditioner, the maize kernel is conditioned for a second predetermined amount of time to cause moisture absorption to within a second predetermined range. The maize kernel is milled using one or more mills.

Method for producing a cooked food product, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a raw material, comprising chick peas, grinding the raw material to obtain a flour, hydrating the flour with water to obtain a flour mixture, preparing an oil mixture comprising at least olive oil and water, mixing the flour mixture and the oil mixture to obtain a batter, cooling and storing the batter to obtain a gel, cutting the gel to obtain individual food elements, and cooking the food elements to obtain a cooked food product, wherein the method is characterised in that, prior to the step of mixing the flour mixture and oil mixture, the oil mixture is heated, wherein the flour mixture is heated by mixing the flour mixture and the oil mixture due to transfer of heat contained in the oil mixture.

Method for producing a cooked food product, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a raw material, comprising chick peas, grinding the raw material to obtain a flour, hydrating the flour with water to obtain a flour mixture, preparing an oil mixture comprising at least olive oil and water, mixing the flour mixture and the oil mixture to obtain a batter, cooling and storing the batter to obtain a gel, cutting the gel to obtain individual food elements, and cooking the food elements to obtain a cooked food product, wherein the method is characterised in that, prior to the step of mixing the flour mixture and oil mixture, the oil mixture is heated, wherein the flour mixture is heated by mixing the flour mixture and the oil mixture due to transfer of heat contained in the oil mixture.

A crispy co-extruded snack product includes an extruded casing having a flour component that includes from about 37% to about 92% by weight wheat flour; and an extruded filling disposed within the extruded casing wherein filling weight is from about 20 wt % to about 75 wt % of total weight of the co-extruded foodstuff.

A crispy co-extruded snack product includes an extruded casing having a flour component that includes from about 37% to about 92% by weight wheat flour; and an extruded filling disposed within the extruded casing wherein filling weight is from about 20 wt % to about 75 wt % of total weight of the co-extruded foodstuff.

The present invention refers to a snack of the potato chips type, comprising at least one starchy material and macroparticles of at least one vegetable material, preferably selected among vegetables and fruits, wherein at least part of said macroparticles is visible to the naked eye and wherein said macroparticles are dispersed in said starchy material. The present invention further refers to a process for producing a snack, and to an unexpanded gelatinized product (pellet).

The present invention refers to a snack of the potato chips type, comprising at least one starchy material and macroparticles of at least one vegetable material, preferably selected among vegetables and fruits, wherein at least part of said macroparticles is visible to the naked eye and wherein said macroparticles are dispersed in said starchy material. The present invention further refers to a process for producing a snack, and to an unexpanded gelatinized product (pellet).

A method and apparatus for oil removal from food surfaces is shown. An air flow chamber directs air flow around a food product surface and contains the removed oil.

A method and apparatus for oil removal from food surfaces is shown. An air flow chamber directs air flow around a food product surface and contains the removed oil.