A method of coating batter onto food products, including the steps of conveying at least one food product on atop surface of a conveyor toward a battering machine, conveying the at least one food product under a batter distribution chamber of the battering machine, wherein the batter distribution chamber comprises a plurality of spaced apertures extending through a bottom distribution chamber surface through which batter is dispensable, and wherein the batter distribution chamber oscillates in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a direction in which the at least one food product is being conveyed, and dispensing batter from the plurality of spaced apertures onto an outer surface of the at least one food product to provide a pattern of batter stripes on the outer surface.

The present invention relates to a processing line and a method for controlling a food processing line, the food processing line comprising a plurality of processing stations and at least one utility supply station. Further at least one food product sensor is provided, and at least one utility sensor and at least one processing sensor. A processing line controller is provided comprising a data collection module, input means for specifying at least one desired food product output characteristic, input means for specifying a nominal operating condition, an anomaly detection module configured to detect an anomaly, and a root cause module configured to determine a root cause of the detected anomaly. A corrective measure module is configured to determine a corrective measure in response to a detected anomaly and to provide the corrective measure to at least one physical actuator.

Batter is applied to food products by depositing the products atop a coating pan which vibrates such that the products are transported along the pan. As this occurs, batter is supplied atop the coating pan and the products. The coating pan is preferably configured such that the products tumble across the pan, thereby better ensuring that the products are coated on all sides with batter. The products are then received on a vibrating drainage pan having a perforated drainage pan surface, whereby excess batter drains from the batter-coated products through the perforations as the products are transported across the drainage pan. Batter-coated products leaving the drainage pan can then be received by a fryer, oven, conveyor, or other food processing equipment.

Embodiments teaching appliance base constructions which increase stability, using both static and dynamic base extending elements. Methods to enhance coloring of the fried foods. Food support structures which utilize two-hand manipulation to increase safety and control. Removable handle construction, which decreases storage space. Peripheral feet on appliance base, to increase safety and stability. Various means for securing unitary food items, including fowl, during cooking. Structures which help prevent accidental deep fryer oil overflow onto supporting surfaces. Lid constructions, which keep a lid in place to protect the user, even while loading oversized, vertically extending foods. Food drainage opening assist device, to help drain fowl cavities after deep frying. Collapsible food support devices, used for cooking, serving, carving, and other purposes. Movable partitions within a food support, to compartmentalize, contain, cap, and space apart foods being cooked. Structures to help align over-extending food during their loading into a cooking vessel.

A system for cooking a food product, in particular pieces of protein, includes a first station that receives uncooked pieces and applies an effective amount of a spoilage inhibitor to the pieces to delay growth of toxigenic bacteria; a batter applicator that receives the pieces of uncooked protein and applies a high-gluten batter to the outer surfaces of the pieces of uncooked protein; a packaging machine that receives the pieces of uncooked protein coated with the batter from the batter applicator and seals the pieces of protein in plastic pouches; and a heating unit that receives the sealed plastic pouches containing the uncooked protein coated with the batter from the packaging machine and cooks the battered protein pieces in the plastic pouches at a time and temperature below which the batter hardens, whereby the batter is sufficiently tacky such that breading can adhere thereto.

A system for processing pieces of protein includes an optional flour applicator that applies a coating of flour, and optionally seasoning, to uncooked protein pieces; an optional seasoning applicator that applies a coating of seasoning on the uncooked protein pieces; a packaging machine that receives uncooked protein pieces, optionally coated with flour and/or seasoning, and retains the optionally coated, uncooked protein pieces in pouches; a batter applicator that deposits a batter made from flour containing gluten directly into the cooking pouches; the packaging machine programmed to vacuum seal the cooking pouches, thereby coating the uncooked protein pieces with the batter in the cooking pouches to make batter-coated uncooked protein pieces; and a heating unit programmed to completely cook the batter-coated protein pieces in the pouches for a time and temperature selected to completely cook the protein pieces and leave the batter sufficiently tacky to adhere to breading.

A food product comprising a substrate of pieces of meat, poultry, fish, vegetable, fruit or dairy food and an aqueous composition coating the substrate provides improved performance, particularly for microwave cooking of reheating of the food product. The aqueous coating composition includes a mixture consisting of by dry weight: TABLE-US-00001 cellulose gum 15-35% modified starch 15-50% hydrocolloid 20-30%, wherein the hydrocolloid is selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, carrageenan gum, guar gum and mixtures thereof, and TABLE-US-00002 proteinaceous component 10-20%; wherein the percentages of the ingredients are selected from the ranges quoted to total 100%; and wherein the aqueous coating composition does not contain any substantial amount of polydextrose.

The present invention relates to methods for processing foodstuff wherein, after exposure of said processed foodstuff to microwaves, a crispy, crunchy or crusty foodstuff is obtained. The present invention further relates to granulates which can be used in the present methods and crispy, crunchy or crusty foodstuff obtainable by the present methods. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods for processing foodstuff comprising the steps of a) providing a foodstuff; b) coating the foodstuff with a dry powder or granulate being comprised of 5 wt % to 50 wt % dextrin; c) exposing the granulate coated foodstuff to water, or water vapour during 0.1 to 10 seconds; and d) baking, frying or boiling the water, or water vapour, exposed foodstuff.

A system for cooking pieces of protein may include a flour applicator that receives the pieces of protein in an uncooked state and applies a coating of flour to outer surfaces thereof; a batter applicator that receives the pieces of uncooked protein coated with the flour from the flour applicator and applies a batter made from high-gluten flour to the coated outer surfaces thereof; a packaging machine that receives the pieces of uncooked protein coated with the batter made from the high-gluten flour from the batter applicator and seals the pieces of protein in plastic pouches; and a heating unit that receives the sealed plastic pouches containing the uncooked protein coated with the batter from the packaging machine and cooks the battered protein pieces in the plastic pouches.

The present invention concerns a method for producing unfried breaded nugget-like products, comprising a step of preparing a particular coating paste, in particular from rice flour and modified starches, combined with a step of cooking in a steam oven. This method can be used in order to obtain nugget-like products that have the required crispness, uniformity and colour characteristics and a reduced fat content. The invention also concerns a nugget-like product likely to be obtained using the abovementioned method.