A method for producing pregelatinized cereal flour according to the present invention includes: a pregelatinization step of heating a slurry containing 100 parts by mass of cereal flour and 500 parts by mass or more of water under a condition that the temperature of the slurry is 90° C. or more, to pregelatinize starch contained in the cereal flour; and a drying step of drying the slurry from the pregelatinization step to obtain a solid. In the pregelatinization step, the slurry is stirred while heating the slurry. In the pregelatinization step, the slurry is preferably heated under a condition that the temperature of the slurry is 100° C. or more. According to the present invention, there is provided pregelatinized starch that can improve the taste and texture of food and impart aging resistance to the food.

A method includes cooking a first human-edible ingredient for a predetermined time period, combining a second human-edible ingredient with a human-edible binder to form a sauce, cooking the sauce for a predetermined time period, enclosing the first human-edible ingredient and the sauce in a casing to form an encased portion, cooling the encased portion to a predetermined temperature, removing the casing from the portion, battering and breading the portion, cooling the battered and breaded portion to a predetermined temperature, and cooking the battered and breaded portion for a predetermined time period.

A method includes cooking a first human-edible ingredient for a predetermined time period, combining a second human-edible ingredient with a human-edible binder to form a sauce, cooking the sauce for a predetermined time period, enclosing the first human-edible ingredient and the sauce in a casing to form an encased portion, cooling the encased portion to a predetermined temperature, removing the casing from the portion, battering and breading the portion, cooling the battered and breaded portion to a predetermined temperature, and cooking the battered and breaded portion for a predetermined time period.

[Problem to be Solved] The present invention provides a method for producing fried noodles having a reduced sodium content and excellent noodle making properties, texture, and flavor. [Solution] Fresh noodles having excellent noodle making properties, texture, and flavor can be produced not by adding salt but by adding 1 to 3% by weight of potassium lactate relative to a main raw material powder such as wheat flour. Further, fried noodles having a reduced sodium content and excellent texture and flavor can be produced by steaming the fresh noodles and fry drying.

An autonomous robotic vehicle includes a conveyance system, a securable compartment configured to autonomously lock and unlock, a customer identification reader, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the autonomous robotic vehicle to, autonomously: travel to a destination location of a customer; capture, by the customer identification reader at the destination location, a customer identification object; determine that the captured customer identification object matches an identity of the customer; unlock the securable compartment based on the determination; capture, by the product identification reader, a product identifier; and accept a product to be returned by locking the securable compartment. The securable compartment contains a product identification reader.

An autonomous robotic vehicle includes a conveyance system, a securable compartment configured to autonomously lock and unlock, a customer identification reader, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the autonomous robotic vehicle to, autonomously: travel to a destination location of a customer; capture, by the customer identification reader at the destination location, a customer identification object; determine that the captured customer identification object matches an identity of the customer; unlock the securable compartment based on the determination; capture, by the product identification reader, a product identifier; and accept a product to be returned by locking the securable compartment. The securable compartment contains a product identification reader.

A pasta binding vessel includes a base, a mating lid, and a closure component. The base is a sheet with shaped troughs. The lid is linear and/or has a shape mirroring the troughs. The vessel binds long pasta together as it cooks, preserving the cohesion of the pasta noodles. A method of producing bonded pasta includes inserting elongated pasta into the pasta binding vessel; closing the pasta binding vessel; submerging the pasta binding vessel into boiling water; cooking the pasta for a predetermined period; removing the pasta binding vessel from the boiling water; cooling the pasta for a predetermined period; opening the pasta binding vessel; and removing the bonded pasta from the pasta binding vessel. The pasta is rigid enough to be cut into manageable pieces and dunked into sauce or used as “edible toothpicks” inserted into items such as meatballs, shrimp, and chicken.

A pasta binding vessel includes a base, a mating lid, and a closure component. The base is a sheet with shaped troughs. The lid is linear and/or has a shape mirroring the troughs. The vessel binds long pasta together as it cooks, preserving the cohesion of the pasta noodles. A method of producing bonded pasta includes inserting elongated pasta into the pasta binding vessel; closing the pasta binding vessel; submerging the pasta binding vessel into boiling water; cooking the pasta for a predetermined period; removing the pasta binding vessel from the boiling water; cooling the pasta for a predetermined period; opening the pasta binding vessel; and removing the bonded pasta from the pasta binding vessel. The pasta is rigid enough to be cut into manageable pieces and dunked into sauce or used as “edible toothpicks” inserted into items such as meatballs, shrimp, and chicken.

Methods for creating flour-based shape-changing food by creating grooves in the surface of a dough layer before exposing the dough to stimuli during dehydration (e.g., baking) or hydration (e.g., boiling) processes. A tailored computational design tool, digital fabrication platform and mold for use with the methods also are provided.

Methods for creating flour-based shape-changing food by creating grooves in the surface of a dough layer before exposing the dough to stimuli during dehydration (e.g., baking) or hydration (e.g., boiling) processes. A tailored computational design tool, digital fabrication platform and mold for use with the methods also are provided.