Source: nephrocare.it

Presentation

A nutritious recipe, consisting of an appetizer or side dish prepared with extra virgin olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, basil, garlic, pine nuts, bread, sugar, salt and pepper

Ingredients

Serves 4

7  teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1  teaspoon honey

3  teaspoons balsamic vinegar

20  cherry tomatoes

1  cucumber

1  red onion

1  bunch fresh basil

300 g (10.6 oz) ciabatta bread

2  garlic cloves

40 g (1.4 oz) pine nuts

A pinch of sugar

Salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

For the dressing, mix 3 tablespoons of oil with the honey and vinegar.

Wash the tomatoes and cut them in half.

Peel the cucumber cut in half lengthwise

Slice the two halves.

Remove the basil leaves and chop them.

Peel the onion and cut it into thin strips.

Transfer everything to a bowl with the sauce.

Cut the bread into bite-sized pieces.

Peel the garlic and chop finely.

Toast the bread with the garlic, pine nuts and the remaining oil in a pan.

Add everything to the cucumber and tomato salad and stir gently. Season with salt, pepper and sugar to taste.

Allergens

Balsamic vinegar: may contain sulfites

Garlic: very rare cases of garlic reactivity reported

Basil: possible cross-reaction in case of allergy to parietaria or spices

Cucumber: cases of individual intolerance described

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

Honey: possible reaction in case of pollen allergy

Extra virgin olive oil: unusual allergy; intolerance not described

Bread: cereals containing gluten included in EU Regulation 1169/2011

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

Pine nuts: not included in the list of allergens of EU Regulation 1169/2011

Tomatoes: possible cross-reaction in case of sensitivity to grasses

Notes

To be prepared and handled under strict hygienic conditions.

The ingredients of the dish bring the following benefits:

Balsamic vinegar: it is rich in grape polyphenols which make it an antioxidant food capable of strengthening the immune system, fighting the harmful action of free radicals, but also keeping blood sugar levels under control thanks to the presence of acetic acid and reducing blood pressure.

Garlic: has immune-stimulating properties, promotes liver function and the elimination of waste metabolites. It also has hypocholesterolemic, lipid-lowering, antiplatelet, hypotensive and hypoglycemic properties that promote cardiac function.

Basil: rich in carotenoids, substances that support the immune system and provide mineral salts, vitamins and antioxidants that act to protect the cardiovascular system; also suitable for nephropathic patients. Useful for the functioning of the liver for the supply of vitamins, mineral salts and antioxidants. It provides folic acid linked to the production of serotonin and therefore favorable to good mood and counteract depression

Cucumber: Favorable to kidney function and stone prevention; also favorable to liver function. Especially if consumed with the peel, it provides folic acid linked to the production of serotonin and therefore favorable to good mood and counteract depression

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

Honey: it has a composition that performs anti-anaemic and cardiotropic, detoxifying and protective action on the liver, diuretic.

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

Bread: cereals stimulate the synthesis of serotonin which counteracts depression and promotes good mood

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.

Pine nuts: source of Vitamin E that protects the immune system from harmful fatty acids and mineral salts, vitamins and antioxidants that act to protect the cardiovascular system; also suitable for nephropathic patients. Also useful for the functioning of the liver for the supply of vitamins, mineral salts and antioxidants. Rich in magnesium and omega 3 fatty acids important for regulating mood and cognitive function

Tomato: rich in vitamin C, the antioxidant par excellence that fights free radicals and supports the immune system, and provides mineral salts, vitamins and antioxidants that act to protect the cardiovascular system; also suitable for nephropathic patients. Useful for the functioning of the liver for the supply of vitamins, mineral salts and antioxidants. Especially if consumed with the peel, it provides folic acid linked to the production of serotonin and therefore favorable to good mood and counteract depression

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.

Sugar: if consumed in moderation without contraindications (diabetes, obesity,) it is the main source of energy for the body, improves thinking ability, has a positive effect on mood

Safety / Intended use

Product also intended for subjects with:

• Anorexia – Weight Loss
• Nausea and vomiting

Not recommended in case of:

• Dysphagia (problems chewing and swallowing)
• Mucositis (inflammation and injury of the oral cavity)