A taco shell is produced by applying a plasticizing agent to a base or spine portion of a hard taco shell, such as by targeted spraying, rolling, brushing or dipping of the taco shells, thereby softening the base or spine portion, preferably across a strip width between 4 mm-20 mm. As a result, when the taco shell is bitten, the softened base portion has some hinging flexibility or pliability which reduces the potential for any crack propagation. Therefore, the structural integrity of the hard taco shell can be better maintained while be eaten, resulting in retention of the fillings and less mess. If desired, an anti-migration agent can also be applied to assure containment of the plasticizing agent in the targeted region.

A method for producing a reheatable food product includes mixing butter, maltodextrin and breadcrumbs so as to form a butter mixture, obtaining a first slice of bread and a second slice of bread, spreading the butter mixture onto a first surface of the first slice of bread and a first surface of the second slice of bread, applying 5 g to 70 g of a filling to the second surface of the first slice of bread, positioning the second slice of bread on the filling such that the second surface of the second slice of bread is adjacent thereto to form the food product, grilling the food product until the first surfaces are golden brown, and compressing the food product to a thickness of 0.56 inches to 0.75 inches while grilling, freezing the food product to a frozen state, reheating the food product.

A method for producing a reheatable food product includes mixing butter, maltodextrin and breadcrumbs so as to form a butter mixture, obtaining a first slice of bread and a second slice of bread, spreading the butter mixture onto a first surface of the first slice of bread and a first surface of the second slice of bread, applying 5 g to 70 g of a filling to the second surface of the first slice of bread, positioning the second slice of bread on the filling such that the second surface of the second slice of bread is adjacent thereto to form the food product, grilling the food product until the first surfaces are golden brown, and compressing the food product to a thickness of 0.56 inches to 0.75 inches while grilling, freezing the food product to a frozen state, reheating the food product.

The gloss of iced frozen baked goods once thawed, is enhanced by coating the baked goods with shellac prior to freezing.

The gloss of iced frozen baked goods once thawed, is enhanced by coating the baked goods with shellac prior to freezing.

A taco shell is produced by applying a plasticizing agent to a targeted region including a base or spine portion of a hard taco shell and lower sections of taco shell sidewalls, thereby softening the targeted region, preferably across a strip width between 16 mm-20 mm, and enabling the sidewalls of the hard taco shell to engage each other without cracking or otherwise breaking the taco shell. As a further result, when the taco shell is bitten, the softened targeted region has some hinging flexibility or pliability which reduces the potential for any crack propagation. Therefore, the structural integrity of the hard taco shell can be better maintained during packaging and while be eaten, resulting in retention of the fillings and less mess. If desired, an anti-migration agent can also be applied to assure containment of the plasticizing agent in the targeted region.

A taco shell is produced by applying a plasticizing agent to a targeted region including a base or spine portion of a hard taco shell and lower sections of taco shell sidewalls, thereby softening the targeted region, preferably across a strip width between 16 mm-20 mm, and enabling the sidewalls of the hard taco shell to engage each other without cracking or otherwise breaking the taco shell. As a further result, when the taco shell is bitten, the softened targeted region has some hinging flexibility or pliability which reduces the potential for any crack propagation. Therefore, the structural integrity of the hard taco shell can be better maintained during packaging and while be eaten, resulting in retention of the fillings and less mess. If desired, an anti-migration agent can also be applied to assure containment of the plasticizing agent in the targeted region.

A printer and corresponding method of printing an image on a surface of a plurality of food products by providing a system having a printer with an extendable and retractable receiving arm and a rotating food product delivery tray for continuously and automatically providing delivery of unprinted food products which are retracted into the printer, printed on, and returned by the receiving arm to the rotatable delivery tray and the tray further moves to deliver subsequent food products for printing.

A printer and corresponding method of printing an image on a surface of a plurality of food products by providing a system having a printer with an extendable and retractable receiving arm and a rotating food product delivery tray for continuously and automatically providing delivery of unprinted food products which are retracted into the printer, printed on, and returned by the receiving arm to the rotatable delivery tray and the tray further moves to deliver subsequent food products for printing.

A method for producing a reheatable food product includes mixing butter, maltodextrin and breadcrumbs so as to form a butter mixture, obtaining a first slice of bread and a second slice of bread, spreading the butter mixture onto a first surface of the first slice of bread and a first surface of the second slice of bread, applying 5 g to 70 g of a filling to the second surface of the first slice of bread, positioning the second slice of bread on the filling such that the second surface of the second slice of bread is adjacent thereto to form the food product, grilling the food product until the first surfaces are golden brown, and compressing the food product to a thickness of 0.56 inches to 0.75 inches while grilling, freezing the food product to a frozen state, reheating the food product.