Frozen food package and method of use

Abstract

A frozen food package and method of producing and using the same is disclosed. The food package includes a bag which is freezable, ovenable and microwaveable. A frozen food assembly within the bag includes uncooked food, preferably an entree. Typically, the food assembly includes a meat, a fruit or vegetable, and a flavoring liquid such as a broth or stock, and may include infused oil or a dairy product. The uncooked food is typically embedded in the frozen liquid to facilitate handling and shipping and to align the frozen food with a display window of the bag. Chemical preservatives are not necessary and sauces may be omitted although sauces are not burned in the cooking process. The method typically includes sealing the frozen uncooked food in the liquid-impermeable bag and cooking the food in the sealed bag. The resulting dish is a substantial improvement over the well-known precooked frozen meals.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the frozen food package of the present invention showing the frozen food items visible through the window of the bag.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the freezing tray in which the food items of the present invention are frozen prior to insertion in the food bag.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 showing the uncooked food items having been placed in the tray prior to the freezing thereof.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the tray in a freezer with the food items having been frozen in the freezing tray to produce a frozen molded dish.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the frozen molded dish being inserted into the food bag.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the bag having been heat sealed.

FIG. 6A is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the bag being additionally sealed by an adhesive.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a plurality of the food bags on display in a store freezer section.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing the frozen food package in an oven at an initial stage of cooking.

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 and shows the food bag having expanded as a result of the cooking process.

FIG. 10 shows the food bag having been opened and the cooked food items being removed therefrom onto a plate.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of: placing a frozen food assembly comprising uncooked food in a bag which is at least one of ovenable and microwavable; andsealing the bag so that the bag is impermeable to liquids.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of placing comprises the step of placing in the bag a frozen food assembly comprising frozen uncooked meat.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of placing comprises the step of placing in the bag a frozen food assembly comprising at least one of a frozen uncooked vegetable and a frozen uncooked fruit.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of placing comprises the step of placing in the bag a frozen food assembly comprising a frozen liquid in which the meat and the at least one of a vegetable and fruit is embedded.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of placing comprises the step of placing in the bag a frozen food assembly comprising a frozen liquid in which the uncooked food is embedded.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of placing comprises the step of placing in the bag a frozen food assembly comprising the frozen liquid which has a first weight which is at least 8.0% of a second weight of the food assembly.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of freezing the uncooked food and liquid in a container cavity to produce a frozen molded form of the uncooked food and liquid; and wherein the step of placing comprises the step of placing the frozen molded form into the bag.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of placing comprises the step of placing in the bag a frozen food assembly comprising a frozen liquid which is external to the uncooked food and has a first weight which is at least 8.0% of a second weight of the food assembly.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of placing comprises the step of placing in the bag a frozen food assembly comprising the frozen liquid which is at least 90.0% water by weight.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of cooking the food assembly in the sealed bag.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of cooking comprises the step of melting the frozen liquid before melting any other component of the frozen food assembly.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of vaporizing the liquid with heat to produce a hot vapor within the sealed bag before melting any other component of the frozen food assembly; and condensing the vapor on the uncooked food.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of placing comprises the step of placing in the bag a frozen food assembly comprising the frozen liquid which has a viscosity at 150° F. no greater than 1000 cPs.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of placing comprises the step of placing in the bag a frozen food assembly comprising the frozen liquid which has a viscosity at 150° F. no greater than 500 cPs.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of placing comprises the step of placing in the bag a frozen food assembly comprising the frozen liquid which comprises a frozen broth or stock.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of cooking the food assembly in the sealed bag.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of cooking comprises the step of cooking the food assembly in the sealed bag without dehydrating the food.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of placing comprises the step of placing in the bag a frozen food assembly comprising a frozen sauce having a viscosity at 150° F. in the range of 1,000 to 8,000 cPs; and further comprising the step of cooking the uncooked food without caramelizing the sauce.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of placing comprises the step of placing in the bag a frozen food assembly comprising a frozen sauce having a viscosity at 150° F. in the range of 1,000 to 8,000 cPs; and further comprising the step of cooking the uncooked food without the sauce undergoing a Maillard reaction.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying the frozen food assembly in a commercial establishment with the food visible through a window of the bag.