Abstract:
Provided is a method for rapid preparation of authentic refried beans from dehydrated starting material such as bean flakes. The method comprises the steps of providing a heated cooking surface, adding dehydrated refried beans to the heated cooking surface, adding water, stirring the mixture to achieve a bean mixture or slurry until the product begins to pull away from the heated cooking surface and browning begins to occur. The heated cooking surface optionally comprises cooking oil and further optionally comprises ingredients for sautéing thereon. This method enhances and intensifies the flavor of the refried bean product, thus producing a traditional frijoles refritos.
Abstract:
A leguminous food product which retains the shape of the legume from which it was made is formed from a variety of legumes such as pinto beans, red beans, black beans, navy beans, kidney beans, lentils and peas. The leguminous food product is crisp and crunchy when chewed and may be seasoned of flavored with salt, herbs, spices, etc. to achieve a variety of different desired tastes. The leguminous food prouct provides a nutritional source of protein and fiber which is low in fat and calories. The leguminous food product is formed by preconditioning (10), cooking (20), chilling (30), deshydrating (40), and enrobing (50) the legumes.
Abstract:
A process for producing reconstitutable, dehydrated, whole lentils which includes providing a quantity of uncooked, dried lentils, tempering the lentils by immersion in water (18), draining excess water from same, allowing the lentils to stand for a time sufficient to acquire a moisture content substantially equilibrated throughout the lentils, cooking said lentils in a steam environment for a period of time sufficient to soften them (20), and passing said lentils through a gap between two smooth rollers such that the pericarp outer covering is cracked without penetrating the cotyledon inner seeds (48). Depending on the chosen size of the gap, either no cotyledon inner seed is exposed or up to one millimeter of seed can be exposed. The resulting lentils are then dehydrated (50) and can be easily reconstituted as a ready-to-eat food product.
Abstract:
A method for forming a dehydrated leguminous food product for reconstitution into a ready-to-eat food product. The method comprises the steps of cleaning the food product (10), removing all unwanted material (12), tempering the food product until it is partially hydrated (18), steam cooking the food product in a low pressure steam environment (20), smoothly crushing the food product between at least one pair of rolls (48), dehydrating the food product (50), and breaking up the food product to a desired size (52). The food product produced by the present method has a moisture content of approximately 4 % to 14 %, and preferably 7 %. The product formed by the present method is instantly reconstitutable and has the color, appearance, texture, aroma, and consistency of conventionally prepared pea soup.
Abstract:
A method for forming a dehydrated leguminous food product for reconstitution into a ready-to-eat food product. The method comprises the steps of cleaning the food product, removing all unwanted material, tempering the food product until it is partially hydrated, steam cooking the food product in a low pressure steam environment, smoothly crushing the food product between at least one pair of rolls, dehydrating the food product, and breaking up the food product to a desired size. The food product produced by the present method has a moisture content of approximately 4 % to 14 %, and preferably 10 %. The product formed by the present method is instantly reconstitutable and has the color, appearance, texture, aroma, and consistency of conventionally prepared pea soup.