The present technology provides a dual zone multi-purpose cooking apparatus with a removable divider between the zones and separate horizontally opening doors for each zone. The multi-purpose cooking apparatus has a cooking chamber that is dividable into two separate cooking chambers that each are able to cook in multiple configurations, such as air frying, grilling, baking, toasting, broiling, or other suitable cooking configuration. The multi-purpose cooking apparatus controls the cooking configuration in each chamber separately to allow different cooking configurations to operate simultaneously. The two chambers are divided by a removable dividing wall. The dividing wall, when inserted between the chambers, separates the heat and the air flow that are provided by separate heating elements and fans in each of the chambers. When the dividing wall is removed, the two chambers combine to form a single, larger chamber.

Provided is an air fryer that includes an inner cooking chamber located within a cooking chamber. The inner cooking chamber has a first opening and a second opening spaced apart from the first opening across the inner cooking chamber. The inner cooking chamber is partly delimited by a second wall extending between the first opening and the second opening. A duct is defined by a space between the first wall and the second wall. The duct provides a fluid connection between the first opening and the second opening. The air fryer also includes a heater for heating the inner cooking chamber, and a fan. The fan receives air from axial directions and moves the air radially. The fan is axially movable relative to the inner cooking chamber such that the air fryer is switchable between a first configuration and a second configuration, and vice versa.

Popcorn machines having easily removable popping kettle assemblies are described herein. In some embodiments, a popcorn machine configured accordance with the present technology includes a cabinet and a pair of kettle supports mounted within the cabinet. A kettle assembly is configured to be positioned on the kettle supports and to pop popcorn placed in a kettle of the kettle assembly when the kettle assembly is in a popping position, and to discharge the popcorn when the kettle assembly is moved from the popping position to a dumping position. The kettle assembly can be lifted off the kettle supports in the popping position to facilitate removal of the kettle assembly from the cabinet for maintenance, cleaning, repair, replacement, etc. In some embodiments, the kettle assembly can be stopped in the dumping position.

A method for producing a cruciferous vegetable seasoning, the method including: at least an odor-reducing heat treatment and an odor-imparting heat treatment, wherein: the odor-reducing heat treatment includes heating a cruciferous vegetable so as to reduce an odor thereof; the odor-imparting heat treatment includes subjecting a liquid of the cruciferous vegetable to odor-imparting heating, thereby imparting a heated odor thereto; and the odor-imparting heat treatment is performed after the odor-reducing heat treatment.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for de-flavoring a peppercorn, whole or ground, that minimize piperine, a naturally occurring alkaloid imparting pungency, that minimize volatile oils imparting aroma, and that retain most of the naturally occurring metabolic micronutrients. A method is also disclosed that includes contacting a peppercorn with one or more oils thereby producing a de-flavored peppercorn.

Provided are a fried food having a favorable appearance and an improved coating texture, and a batter for producing the same. The batter for fried foods contains a flaky starch lump. The starch lump contains a pregelatinized starch, and the flaky starch lump has a thickness of 100 μm to 1000 μm.

Described herein is a method of making an edible turmeric additive comprising the step of cooking a mixture of turmeric and pepper in a neutral oil.

Food preparation includes utilizing food immersion into low temperature cooking fluids, high temperature cooking fluids, or a combination of applications thereof. Foods are generally closely wrapped in vented, pliable, formidable outer skins. An example construction of such an outer skin is provided, as are examples of food preparation processes.

The present invention relates to a shelf-stable cooking-aid for coating and flying a food product in one step for example in a heating pan, the cooking aid comprising 3-28 wt % oil, 20-60 wt % water, 2.3-5.5 wt % modified starch, 3-15 wt % salt, 0.5-30 wt % sugar and 0.5-30 wt % flavorings and wherein the cooking aid has a viscosity in the range of 8 to 60 Pa.Math.s at a shear rate of 1s.sup.−1 at 25° C., and the oil and water are in form of an emulsion. Further aspects of the invention are the method for making said cooking-aid as well as a method for coating and flying a food product in a heated pan or heated surface.

A popcorn pot having a curvilinear body providing a paraboloid-shaped cavity for gravitationally concentrating a quantity of un-popped kernels and a depth of oil over a bottom center of the popcorn pot. The curvilinear body provides volumetric containment inside the paraboloid cavity. Integral footing along a lower portion of the popcorn pot stabilizes the curvilinear body over a flat-top heat source so that the bottom center is disposed centrally thereover. The popcorn pot may include a domed lid for covering the opening communicating to the paraboloid-shaped cavity, wherein the lid is adapted to effectuate convection heating within the cavity, thereby providing natural efficiency and universal accessibility with more predictable results than a flat-bottomed pot, while using less oil for healthier results.