Described herein is a food composition that is suitable for use as a filling or topping for a shelf stable snack. The food composition includes an oat flour in an amount of 30-50%, a fat component that includes a shortening and an oil, sugar, a total moisture content of 2.5-5%, and a water activity of less than 0.58. The food has an extended shelf life at room temperature and resists moisture migration despite containing a significant amount of oat flour, which has a moisture content of 6-10%.

The invention relates to a milk fat replacer suitable for use in a chocolate or chocolate-like product, wherein the milk fat replacer comprises triglycerides, having the ability to mimic the functionality of milk fat in terms of its effects when used in chocolate or chocolate-like products. Further, the invention relates to a product comprising said milk fat replacer in addition to various use of said milk fat replacer.

The invention relates to a milk fat replacer suitable for use in a chocolate or chocolate-like product, wherein the milk fat replacer comprises triglycerides, having the ability to mimic the functionality of milk fat in terms of its effects when used in chocolate or chocolate-like products. Further, the invention relates to a product comprising said milk fat replacer in addition to various use of said milk fat replacer.

A pastry filling formulation and pastry food products including the pastry filling formulation are described having a freeze thaw stable thermoreversible gel with other ingredients including, but are not limited to, water, a sweetening agent, and one or more fruit additives (e.g., fruit flavor, fruit coloring, fruit puree, etc.). The freeze thaw stable thermoreversible gel permits the pastry filling to retain water during the thawing process from a frozen state.

A pastry filling formulation and pastry food products including the pastry filling formulation are described having a freeze thaw stable thermoreversible gel with other ingredients including, but are not limited to, water, a sweetening agent, and one or more fruit additives (e.g., fruit flavor, fruit coloring, fruit puree, etc.). The freeze thaw stable thermoreversible gel permits the pastry filling to retain water during the thawing process from a frozen state.

New sandwich product, particularly a fast food sandwich product that contains appreciable amounts of salad ingredients, and to a salad insert suitable for use in such sandwich product to improve the diet of the consumer. The sandwich product can include a layer of a meat or protein portion with the layer of a wrapped salad portion that are placed on or enclosed between a bread portion. The wrapped salad portion uses an edible wrapper to enclose the salad ingredients. The edible wrapper can be an edible processed wrapper such as rice paper or soy paper, or an edible natural wrapper such as a lettuce leaf or cabbage leaf, or a combination thereof. An edible humectant can be used in the source of water used for moistening a dried sheet of a rice paper for improving the resistance to drying of a moistened rice paper. Salad dressing can be injected through the outer layer of the wrapped salad portion using a needle.

New sandwich product, particularly a fast food sandwich product that contains appreciable amounts of salad ingredients, and to a salad insert suitable for use in such sandwich product to improve the diet of the consumer. The sandwich product can include a layer of a meat or protein portion with the layer of a wrapped salad portion that are placed on or enclosed between a bread portion. The wrapped salad portion uses an edible wrapper to enclose the salad ingredients. The edible wrapper can be an edible processed wrapper such as rice paper or soy paper, or an edible natural wrapper such as a lettuce leaf or cabbage leaf, or a combination thereof. An edible humectant can be used in the source of water used for moistening a dried sheet of a rice paper for improving the resistance to drying of a moistened rice paper. Salad dressing can be injected through the outer layer of the wrapped salad portion using a needle.

The present invention is directed to heat stable food ingredient compositions, ready to eat substantially sealed filled food products incorporating them, and methods of manufacturing said food products. Such food ingredient compositions include fillings which may be incorporated within one or more other components of a complex food prior to any of a variety of cooking steps required to manufacture various ready to eat filled food products from such components.

The present invention is directed to heat stable food ingredient compositions, ready to eat substantially sealed filled food products incorporating them, and methods of manufacturing said food products. Such food ingredient compositions include fillings which may be incorporated within one or more other components of a complex food prior to any of a variety of cooking steps required to manufacture various ready to eat filled food products from such components.

Provided herein is a process for making a food product comprising the following steps: mixing a powdered fat with one or more other food ingredients other than liquid oil, and/or a fat composition different from liquid oil, applying shear, optionally adding liquid oil, and optionally applying shear. Preferably, the food product is a filling, topping, coating, or inclusion.