초록 ▼

Improved apparatus and methods for assembling and cooking pizza are disclosed which markedly reduce the final cooking time required. Preferably, a pizza shell is precooked in an enclosed container which confines and controls the shape of the shell as well as the moisture loss by the shell during pre

Improved apparatus and methods for assembling and cooking pizza are disclosed which markedly reduce the final cooking time required. Preferably, a pizza shell is precooked in an enclosed container which confines and controls the shape of the shell as well as the moisture loss by the shell during precooking. In addition, a high solids, preheated sauce and a high fat, thin sliced cheese are used to accelerate the final cooking process. Cooking is preferably performed in a perforated cooking pan having a plurality of raised support surfaces. A forced air oven is preferably used for cooking, and the raised support areas and the perforations of the pan cooperate to maximize contact between the heated air and the underside of the pizza. In combination, these techniques significantly reduce required cooking time for pizza.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for preparing and cooking pizza comprising the following steps: providing a pizza shell; placing the shell in a cooking pan to provide an assembly; pre-heating a tomato sauce having a dissolved solids component greater than about 10% by weight to a temperature greater than about 145°F. in o

A method for preparing and cooking pizza comprising the following steps: providing a pizza shell; placing the shell in a cooking pan to provide an assembly; pre-heating a tomato sauce having a dissolved solids component greater than about 10% by weight to a temperature greater than about 145°F. in order to retard bacterial growth in said sauce but less than that which causes carmelization; applying at least a portion of the pre-heated sauce to the shell; then applying at least one additional food component over the portion of pre-heated tomato sauce to complete the assembly of a pizza; cooking the assembled pizza in a forced air oven which comprises means for directing heated air against the underside of the cooking pan and means for directing heated air against the upper side of the assembled pizza to accelerate the cooking of the assembled pizza; the heat of said pre-heated tomato sauce acting to reduce the cooking time required properly to cook the assembled pizza.