Patent ID: 6277425
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: A21C,A23L,A23P

Abstract:
A method for producing an expanded cooked food product, comprising of the steps of:(a) providing a selected group of ingredients;(b) mixing the food ingredients to form a food mix;(c) providing an extruder with a barrel having a plurality of screws rotatably mounted therewithin;(d) conveying the food mix through the extruder barrel by rotating the plurality of screws;(e) cooking the food mix as it is being conveyed through the extruder barrel;(f) passing the cooked food mix through a single central expansion chamber formed in a die assembly that is removeably connected to the discharge end of the barrel, the expansion chamber being substantially greater in a radial dimension than an axial dimension;(g) mixing the cooked food product in the expansion chamber;(h) extruding the cooked food product from the expansion chamber through a plurality of die orifices of a selected shape formed in a die plate so as to form a cooked food product extrudate having a desired cross-sectional configuration;(I) supporting the cooked food product extrudate with a support positioned between the extruder and a cutting apparatus, the support at a height that is greater than the height of barrel and the cutting apparatus, so as to permit ambient air to surround the cooked food product extrudate along an extended path;(j) cooling and drying the cooked food product extrudate; and(k) cutting the cooked food product extrudate to form food pieces of a selected length.