Source: tuttodiabete.it

Presentation

A nutritious recipe, consisting of a single dish prepared with cauliflower, rice, spelt, semi-skimmed milk, wholemeal flour, onion, extra virgin olive oil, Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, scamorza, turmeric, pepper, salt, bay leaf

Ingredients

for 4 people

Cauliflower – 500 g (17.6 oz / ≈ 4 cups florets)

Brown rice – 100 g (3.5 oz / ≈ ½ cup)

Spelt – 100 g (3.5 oz / ≈ ½ cup)

Semi-skimmed milk – 200 g (200 ml / 6.8 fl oz / ≈ ¾ cup + 1 tbsp)

Whole wheat flour – 30 g (1.1 oz / ≈ ¼ cup)

Onion – 50 g (1.8 oz / ≈ ⅓ cup chopped)

Extra-virgin olive oil – 40 g / 40 ml (≈ 3 tablespoons)

Parmigiano Reggiano – 40 g (1.4 oz / ≈ ⅓ cup grated)

Fresh scamorza cheese – 200 g (7 oz / ≈ 1½ cups diced)

Turmeric powder – to taste (≈ ½ teaspoon)

Black pepper – to taste (≈ ¼ teaspoon)

Salt – to taste (≈ ½ teaspoon)

Bay leaf – 1 leaf

Method

Clean the cauliflower and boil for a few minutes in boiling salted water with a bay leaf.

In the same cooking water as the cabbage, boil the brown rice and spelt

In the meantime, prepare a turmeric béchamel by first stewing the onion in small pieces with oil in a small pan.

As soon as the onion has wilted, add the wholemeal flour and toast it before adding the milk.

Add the turmeric powder, pepper and salt to the mixture.

Bring to a boil and thicken the béchamel sauce.

In a baking pan, assemble the ingredients by alternating layers of boiled cereals seasoned with Parmesan cheese, fresh scamorza, turmeric béchamel and a few pieces of boiled cauliflower.

Finish with béchamel and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

Bake in the oven at 180 degrees until golden brown.

Allergens

Laurel: possible individual allergy

Cauliflower: possible reaction in case of allergy to birch or spices

Onion: possible reactivity in case of nickel allergy due to the vegetable’s ability to concentrate it

Turmeric: possible, albeit rare, cases of hypersensitivity or allergy to its components

Flour: contains gluten from cereals included in EU Regulation 1169/2011

Spelt: cereals containing gluten covered by EU Regulation 1169/2011

Milk: included among the allergens in EU Regulation 1169/2011

Extra virgin olive oil: unusual allergy; intolerance not described

Parmigiano Reggiano PDO: contains milk allergens

Pepper (green, pink, black, grey, white): possible cross-reactivity in case of spice intolerance

Rice: (allergy very common in the Far East, almost unknown in Italy and Europe). Possible cross-reaction in case of grass sensitivity

Scamorza: milk allergens

Notes

To be prepared and handled under strict hygienic conditions.

The ingredients of the dish bring the following benefits:

Laurel: leaves and berries have diuretic properties, the leaves are rich in vitamin C favorable to the proper functioning of the immune system, minerals favorable to the production of red blood cells and the functioning of the cardiovascular system

Cauliflower: rich in vitamins A and K that help the liver in purifying activities and powerful natural anti-inflammatory, able to prevent and alleviate inflammatory and heart diseases. Also suitable for nephropathics. Useful for the functioning of the liver for the supply of vitamins, mineral salts and antioxidants. A species that provides folic acid linked to the production of serotonin and therefore favorable to good mood and counteract depression. Vitamin E strengthens the immune system, has a preventive function against many cancers and protects the digestive mucous membranes.

Onion: it is rich in selenium which supports the immune system and with the ability to stabilize blood glucose at normal values; it provides quercetin, a flavonoid that helps contain cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, parameters related to cardiovascular risk, which also supports liver function by promoting the purification of the body. Also indicated for nephropathic patients, it is a good diuretic that prevents kidney stones. It provides folic acid linked to the production of serotonin and therefore favorable to good mood and counteract depression

Turmeric: has anti-inflammatory properties, facilitates digestion and stimulates the immune system. Wholemeal flour: provides zinc, an element favorable to the proper functioning of the immune system; also suitable for nephropathic patients. It stimulates the synthesis of serotonin which counteracts depression and promotes good mood

Spelt: due to the presence of fiber, it is particularly suitable in case of constipation. It helps regulate blood glucose levels and results in better insulin sensitivity. Especially if consumed with the peel, it provides folic acid linked to the production of serotonin and therefore favorable to good mood and counteract the depressed. It stimulates the synthesis of serotonin which counteracts depression and promotes good mood

Semi-skimmed milk: favorable to the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system – The presence of tryptophan allows you to counteract depression

Extra virgin olive oil: source of Vitamin E that protects the immune system from harmful fatty acids

Parmigiano Reggiano PDO: useful for the proper functioning of the liver. The presence of tryptophan helps to counteract depression

Pepper (green, pink, black, gray, white): contains piperine, a powerful antioxidant; it improves insulin sensitivity by reducing cholesterol levels and activating metabolism. Recommended for people with cardiovascular problems.

Rice: due to its modest protein content, it is suitable for nephropathic and phenylketonuric patients; since it is an antiuric food, it is recommended in case of gout and hyperuricemia. It stimulates the synthesis of serotonin which counteracts depression and promotes good mood

Salt: essential for the balance of body fluids and for the transmission of nerve impulses, it is however to be consumed respecting the limit of 5 g per day according to the indications of the WHO so as not to promote arterial hypertension and consequent increase in the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases starting from myocardial infarction and cerebral stroke; to be limited as much as possible in the case of nephropathy.

Scamorza : cheese that can be included in a low-calorie diet (if not seasoned with oil), low-sodium (therefore against hypertension) and against hypercholesterolemia. Also rich in lactic flora. The presence of tryptophan helps to counteract depression

Safety / Intended use

Product also intended for subjects with:

• Anorexia – Weight Loss
• Xerostomia (dry mouth) if well cooked

Not recommended in case of:

• Dysphagia (problems chewing and swallowing)
• Constipation with meteorism
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Mucositis (inflammation and lesions of the oral cavity)