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Bulgarian cuisine

Tarator (cold yoghurt and cucumber soup)

A cooling summer soup of yoghurt, cucumber, dill, garlic and walnuts.

With care: in a safer version

Tarator (cold yoghurt and cucumber soup)BULGARIAN CUISINE
Tarator (cold yoghurt and cucumber soup) — Bulgarian cuisine. Photograph of the dish.

Ingredients

  • yoghurt
  • water
  • cucumber
  • dill
  • garlic
  • walnuts
  • oil
  • salt

How it is prepared

Yoghurt is thinned with water, finely chopped cucumber, dill, garlic and walnuts are added and it is served cold.

Food safety with low immunity

  • Use only pasteurised milk, yoghurt, cream and cheese.
  • Wash raw vegetables and herbs well under running water. During neutropenia some teams advise avoiding raw salads and herbs — ask about your own rules.
  • Nuts should be fresh, packaged and mould-free; do not use old nuts or nuts with damaged shells.

How to prepare it during treatment

Not cooked — raw cucumber and herbs may be considered risky during neutropenia. If allowed: pasteurised yoghurt, boiled cooled water, peeled cucumber, no herbs, made and eaten the same day. An alternative is hot, cooked dovga.

Your diet during treatment is agreed with your doctor. Sample 7-day menu for the treatment period →

Storage

Make it fresh, keep it chilled and eat it the same day. Do not leave it out on the table.

Reheating

Eaten cold — not reheated. That is why freshness and the fridge matter.

Symptoms it may suit

  • Nausea. Mild and not too greasy; can be eaten in small portions, warm or at room temperature.
  • Mouth sores. Soft and moist; easier to eat without spicy or sour additions.

These are general observations: what suits you can change from day to day.

Treatment phases

  • Before treatmentmay suit
  • During a coursemay suit
  • Low counts (neutropenia)Only in the safer version and if your team agreesmay suit
  • Between coursesmay suit
  • After treatmentmay suit

Phase notes are general. During low counts, follow only your care team’s food rules.

If you have other conditions

  • Stomach and gut. Contains dairy. With lactose intolerance or bowel problems, discuss suitability with your team.
  • Osteoporosis. Dairy is a source of calcium. With osteoporosis, discuss nutrition for bone health with your team.

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Nutrition figures from a reliable source have not been added for this dish yet.

More from this cuisine

Bulgaria: food database →

Related topics

Food safetyNeutropenic diet (low-microbial diet)PasteurisedCore cooking temperatureLeftoversCross-contamination

Sources

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Safer Food Choices for People With Weakened Immune Systems
  2. FoodSafety.gov (U.S. HHS). Cook to a Safe Minimum Internal Temperature
  3. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Leftovers and Food Safety
  4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases
  5. Food Standards Agency (UK). Chilling
  6. World Health Organization (WHO). Five keys to safer food manual
  7. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Food Safety During Cancer Treatment
  8. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Eating Hints: Before, during, and after Cancer Treatment
  9. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2019. Neutropenic diets to prevent cancer infections: updated systematic review and meta-analysis
  10. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). FoodData Central — Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS)
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.

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