Inventors:
Semyon Mogilevsky - Omaha NE
David H. Scherpf - Omaha NE
Shona H. Jonson - Omaha NE
International Classification:
A23L 1216
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for the production of a frozen, instant mashed potato product for dispensing onto ovenable trays transported by a high-speed frozen food packaging line. A slurry including a fat-containing ingredient or a fat-substitute and water is heated to a temperature above the gelatinization temperature of potato starch but below the boiling point of the slurry. Next, the heated slurry is mixed with dehydrated potato solids using a combination of a high-speed mixing element and a low-speed scraping element both located inside a closed mixing chamber. Hydration of the potato solids is then completed under static conditions. The thus formed mashed potatoes are dispensed into an ovenable product container. The container is further packaged and the mashed potato products frozen.