Cooking method and apparatus

Abstract

An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof may include a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steam flow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A pre-packaged food product comprising:
 a food comprising a first food component and a second food component, the first food component and the second food component being at least substantially separate during cooking;   a container including a base and a sidewall having an at least substantially continuous shelf formed therein, the shelf projecting radially inwardly into the container, the shelf spaced away from the base so that the base and a portion of the sidewall below the shelf form a cavity at least substantially holding the first food component for cooking of the first food component; and   a removable holder holding the second food component, the removable holder being removably receivable by the container and having a base, the base of the removable holder sized and configured to extend onto and rest on the shelf of the container when the removable holder is received in the container so that the first food component is at least substantially contained in the cavity between the base of the container and the base of the removable holder.   
     
     
         18 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 17 , wherein the base of the removable holder includes openings. 
     
     
         19 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one of the container and the removable holder are formed from at least one member of a group consisting of: aluminum, CPET, polypropylene, nylon, pressed paperboard, and molded pulp. 
     
     
         20 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 17 , wherein the pre-packaged food product is heatable in an oven selected from the group consisting of: a conventional, convection, and microwave oven. 
     
     
         21 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus is suitable for refrigerated storage, freezer storage, and subsequent heating. 
     
     
         22 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 17 , further comprising a sheet of barrier material sealed to a rim of the container, the sheet of barrier material enclosing the removable holder within the container. 
     
     
         23 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 17 , wherein the removable holder further comprises at least one sidewall element. 
     
     
         24 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 17 , wherein the removable holder defines a basket. 
     
     
         25 . A pre-packaged food product comprising:
 a food comprising a first food component and a second food component, the first food component and the second food component being at least substantially separate during cooking;   a container including a base and a sidewall having an at least substantially continuous shelf formed therein, the shelf projecting radially inwardly into the container, the shelf spaced away from the base so that the base and a portion of the sidewall below the shelf form a cavity at least substantially holding the first food component for cooking of the first food component; and   a vented member holding the second food component, the vented member being removably receivable by the container and having a base, the base of the vented member sized and configured to extend onto and rest on the shelf of the container when the vented member is received in the container so that the first food component is at least substantially contained in the cavity between the base of the container and the base of the vented member.   
     
     
         26 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 25 , wherein the base of the vented member includes openings. 
     
     
         27 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one of the container and the vented member are formed from at least one member of a group consisting of: aluminum, CPET, polypropylene, nylon, pressed paperboard, and molded pulp. 
     
     
         28 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 25 , wherein the apparatus is heatable in an oven selected from the group consisting of: a conventional, convection, and microwave oven. 
     
     
         29 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 25 , wherein the pre-packaged food product is suitable for refrigerated storage, freezer storage, and subsequent heating. 
     
     
         30 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 25 , further comprising a sheet of barrier material sealed to a rim of the container, the sheet of barrier material enclosing the vented member within the container. 
     
     
         31 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 25 , wherein the vented member further comprises at least one sidewall element. 
     
     
         32 . The pre-packaged food product of  claim 25 , wherein the vented member defines a vented basket.