Process for preparing parfried and frozen potato products
AssigneeUniversal Foods Corporation
InventorsJohn H. Bonnett, Thomas H. Cromwell, Rick Norton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for preparing parfried and frozen potato products and potato products produced thereby, which when reconstituted by finish frying or microwave oven heating have an organoleptic appeal of "fast food chain french fries" potato products. Presliced potatoes are subjected to a first parfrying step, a first freezing step, a thawing step following the first freezing step, a second parfrying step and a second freezing step following the second parfrying step. The frozen potatoes may be reconstituted by microwave heating just prior to consumption.
Claims17
A process for parfrying and freezing potato strips for subsequent microwave reconstitution or finish frying, prior to consumption, comprising the steps of:
- a. parfrying the potato strips a first time in hot oil;
- b. first freezing the once-parfried potato strips below 32.degree. F.;
- c. thawing the once-parfried, frozen potato strips to a temperature above 32.degree. F.;
- d. parfrying the thawed potato strips a second time in hot oil at a temperature of about 360.degree. F. to about 385.degree. F. for a period of about 150 seconds to about 240 seconds;
- and
- e. finally freezing and storing the twice-fried potato strips.
A process for preparing, reconstituting and finish frying frozen potato strips, comprising the steps of:
- a. blanching potato strips using heated water as the blanching medium;
- b. parfrying the potato strips a first time in hot oil;
- c. reducing the temperature level of the once-parfried potato strips by freezing the strips;
- d. thawing the once-parfried, frozen potato strips;
- e. parfrying the thawed potato strips a second time in hot oil at a temperature of about 360.degree. F. to about 385.degree. F. for a period of about 150 seconds to about 240 seconds;
- f. freezing the twice-parfried potato strips;
- g. packaging and storing the frozen potato strips in containers which includes a susceptor plate;
- and
- h. reconstituting the packaged, frozen potato strips in a microwave oven.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.