Cohesive vegetable products and process for manufacture

Abstract

Powdered grain and/or legume material is mixed with a liquid binder containing algin to form a dough that is molded, or extruded and the extruded material severed, to form synthesized kernels or bits. Such kernels or bits are deposited in an edible boiling liquid, preferably containing calcium chloride and/or calcium lactate, for setting the binder, and cooked in such setting liquid for a few minutes after which they are removed from the setting or gelling liquid, rinsed, retrograded, or set and stabilized in their cooked and expanded state as by freezing or the like, and dried; or they may be canned or frozen. As a consequence, the kernels or bits can be rehydrated and rendered instantly edible merely by the addition of an edible hot or cold liquid without requiring further cooking. The bits may contain other food ingredients and/or fortifying agents such, merely by way of example, as vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids, fats, oils, medicaments and/or flavorings or coloring materials.