Microwaveable batter

Abstract

A microwaveable cookable or reheatable foodstuff coating composition comprising an aqueous mixture including: a) starch b) a flour component comprising gluten free flour and maize flour c) a gelling agent d) an enzyme additive comprising alpha amylase; and e) optional further ingredients.

1 . A microwave cookable or reheatable foodstuff coating composition comprising an aqueous mixture including:
 a) starch   b) a flour component comprising a mixture of two or more gluten free flours including maize flour   c) a gelling agent   d) an enzyme additive comprising alpha amylase; and   e) optional further ingredients.   
     
     
         2 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the amount of starch is from about 20 to about 35% by weight. 
     
     
         3 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the amount of starch is about 29%. 
     
     
         4 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the starch comprises high amylose starch. 
     
     
         5 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the starch comprises maize starch. 
     
     
         6 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the starch is a hot swell starch. 
     
     
         7 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flour component comprises from about 40 to about 55% of the weight of the dry ingredients. 
     
     
         8 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flour component comprises about 48% by weight of the dry ingredients. 
     
     
         9 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flour component comprises a mixture of soya flour and maize flour. 
     
     
         10 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flour mixture has a fat content from about 15% to about 33%. 
     
     
         11 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the flour mixture has a fat content from about 20% to about 28%. 
     
     
         12 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the flour mixture has a fat content of about 24%. 
     
     
         13 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the ratio of flour to starch component in the range from about 36% to about 87%. 
     
     
         14 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the ratio of flour to starch component is from about 50% to about 63%. 
     
     
         15 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flour contains from about 25% to about 70% of maize flour and from about 30% to about 75% of one or more other gluten free flours. 
     
     
         16 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising D-xylose in an amount from about 1% to about 3%. 
     
     
         17 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising D-xylose in amount of about 2%. 
     
     
         18 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the gelling agent comprises guar gum. 
     
     
         19 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the gelling agent comprises guar gum in an amount of about 0.5 to about 3%. 
     
     
         20 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the gelling agent comprises about 1% guar gum. 
     
     
         21 . A coating composition as claimed in  claim 1  having a viscosity of about 380 to about 400cP. 
     
     
         22 . A method of coating a microwave cookable or reheatable foodstuff comprising the steps of applying a pre-coating comprising an aqueous gel comprising:
 starch 28 to 40%   thickener 18 to 30%   xanthan gum 20 to 35%   egg albumen 10 to 25%   
       by dry weight followed by applying a coating as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         23 . A method as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the pre-coating comprises an aqueous gel comprising:
 starch 35% 
 thickener 25% 
 xanthan gum 25% 
 egg albumen 15% 
 by dry weight. 
 
     
     
         24 . A microwave cookable or reheatable food composition comprising a coating as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         25 . A microwave cookable or reheatable foodstuff manufactured by the method as claimed in  claim 22 .