Abstract:
Premium quality intermediate moisture vegetables and methods for preparing such vegetables are provided. The premium quality intermediate moisture vegetables are prepared by (a) infusing vegetables with an antimicrobial infusion cocktail at a temperature of greater than about 50°F [about 10C] for about 15 to about 180 minutes, wherein the antimicrobial infusion cocktail comprises an aqueous solution of (1) a water-soluble, predominantly lower molecular weight, low sweetness carbohydrate, (2) a polyhydric alcohol, (3) salt, (4) a non-inorganic sweetness depressant agent, and (5) nisin-containing whey derived from a nisin-producing culture; (b) collecting the vegetables and removing excess antimicrobial infusion cocktail; (c) drying the collected vegetables to a water activity of about 0.5 to about 0.9 to form the intermediate moisture vegetables; and (d) packaging the intermediate moisture vegetables. After drying to a water activity of about 0.5 to about 0.9, the intermediate moisture vegetables of the present invention are shelf stable. For example, such intermediate moisture vegetables having a water activity of about 0.55 to about 0.65 are expected to be shelf stable for about twelve months under ambient conditions; intermediate moisture vegetables having a water activity of about 0.75 to about 0.85 are expected to be shelf stable for about 90 days under refrigeration conditions. When cooked, these intermediate moisture vegetables provide appearance, texture, and taste similar to that provided by high quality cooked frozen vegetables.
Abstract:
A fully baked bread product is provided which can be stored for extended periods of time and which retains its desirable soft texture for the shelf life (e.g., at least about 3 months) of the product if maintained under a modified atmosphere (i.e., low oxygen and preferably inert gas) at refrigerated conditions (i.e., about 35 to about 45°F [about 1.67 to about 7.22°C]). The fully baked bread is prepared from dough comprising, in baker's percentages, about 100 pounds [about 45.36 kg] flour, about 0.75 to about 3.5 pounds [about 0.34 to about 1.59 kg] salt, about 0.2 to about 1 pounds [about 0.09 to about 0.45 kg] microbial inhibitor, about 0 to about 3 pounds [about 0 to about 1.36 kg] gluten, about 1 to about 5 pounds [about 0.45 to about 2.27 kg] leavening agent, about 0.1 to about 1 pound about 0.05 to about 0.45 kg] enzyme, about 9 to 18 pounds [about 4.08 to about 8.16 kg] high fructose corn syrup, about 3 to about 10 pounds [about 1.36 to about 4.54 kg] shortening, about 0.1 to about 3 pounds [about 0.05 to about 1.36 kg] mono- and diglycerides, and about 45 to about 60 pounds [about 20.41 to about 27.22 kg] of water
Abstract:
Premium quality intermediate moisture vegetables and methods for preparing such vegetables are provided. The premium quality intermediate moisture vegetables are prepared by (a) infusing vegetables with an antimicrobial infusion cocktail at a temperature of greater than about 50°F [about 10C] for about 15 to about 180 minutes, wherein the antimicrobial infusion cocktail comprises an aqueous solution of (1) a water-soluble, predominantly lower molecular weight, low sweetness carbohydrate, (2) a polyhydric alcohol, (3) salt, (4) a non-inorganic sweetness depressant agent, and (5) nisin-containing whey derived from a nisin-producing culture; (b) collecting the vegetables and removing excess antimicrobial infusion cocktail; (c) drying the collected vegetables to a water activity of about 0.5 to about 0.9 to form the intermediate moisture vegetables; and (d) packaging the intermediate moisture vegetables. After drying to a water activity of about 0.5 to about 0.9, the intermediate moisture vegetables of the present invention are shelf stable. For example, such intermediate moisture vegetables having a water activity of about 0.55 to about 0.65 are expected to be shelf stable for about twelve months under ambient conditions; intermediate moisture vegetables having a water activity of about 0.75 to about 0.85 are expected to be shelf stable for about 90 days under refrigeration conditions. When cooked, these intermediate moisture vegetables provide appearance, texture, and taste similar to that provided by high quality cooked frozen vegetables.