| abstract |
A method for producing an extruded food product comprising from about 25% to about 77% meat and vegetable protein by continuously introducing components of the food product to an extruder wherein the components include meat and vegetable protein; mixing the components to produce a mixture in the extruder; heating the mixture in the extruder to produce the food product; extruding the food product from the extruder through the extruder die; and cooling the food product. The product may further comprise plasticizers and be substantially free of cross-linking compounds. Generally, the product is a meat analog having a fibrous texturized appearance characteristic of meat. |