Nearly 20 years ago my father came home from a routine check-up at the doctor’s office. He walked inside the house, said, “Dobar Den”, or “Good Day”, and walked straight to the refrigerator. He opened up the door and began to empty it out. My sister and I thought something was definitely wrong because our dad never cleans! Few moments later he walked out of the house with a garbage bag that contained most of our food. He then moved onto the pantry, and lastly he cleaned out the cupboard with all the snacks.
Later on that night we found out what had happened:
My father’s doctor warned him that if he did not stop eating the food that he was eating, he would die before the age of 50. At that time my dad was only 36.
His blood pressure and his sugar levels were inside the danger zone. His eating habits were out of control; a bucket of ice cream would be gone in three days, he would eat half pound of feta cheese with each meal, and his favorite meal was any type of grilled meat with a side of Taratur. And lets not get into what he ate in-between meals.
But, within days our kitchen looked like the kitchens at Weight Watchers; lots of chicken, lean meat, vegetables and fruits galore, and plenty of brown rice and whole wheat bread.
My dad is on the same diet to this day, and according to his doctor, his body’s age is 42 even if he really is 56.
The preparation of this meal reminds me of those days; my mom trying to hang on to the flavor without adding in the extra fixins.
Chicken Breast with Homemade Croutons and Peas
You will need:
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 4 chicken breasts
- 3 cups frozen peas
- 1 cup of mushroom gravy
- 1/4 cup Light Italian Dressing
- 2 – 3 cups of whole grain homemade croutons
Whole Grain Homemade Croutons
You will need:
- 8 slices of whole grain bread, cut up in cubes
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350.
- In a large saute pan, pour in the olive oil and stir in the garlic.
- Add bread cubes, and toss to coat.
- Season with oregano, salt and pepper, toss and spread on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until crisp and dry. Set aside.
For the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in skillet on medium heat.
- Add in the chicken breasts and cook for about 3 min on each side or until brown.
- Stir in peas, mushroom gravy, and dressing, then bring to a boil.
- Spoon the croutons on top of and around the chicken in the skillet.
- Cover and simmer on medium-low heat for approximately 15 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Food Lover says
My God this dish looks soooo yummy, the recipe is sooo simple too, thanks for sharing 🙂
Cheryl and Adam says
Chicken and Peas is one of Adam’s favorites, typically involving some kind of rice, usually brown, but I love the croutons instead. Healthy and yummy, what more can you ask for!
Lisa @ Tarte du Jour says
This looks truly scrumptious! I enjoyed the story about your dad. So glad to hear he changed his ways in time and is living a heathy lifestyle!
Evan @swEEts says
That’s awesome that your dad was able to turn his diet around like that and stick to it! I love homemade croutons.. they just taste so much better!
claudia lamascolo says
I just love these pictures, this chicken looks spectacular!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
That’s a healthy meal anyone would be proud to serve. Good for your dad for taking his health so seriously!
Baking Serendipity says
This looks delicious 🙂 Sometimes I think eating healthy is something we do best when forced. My mom went on a similar refrigerator clean-out when she reached the age her father passed away at. Life is too short for cookies and cakes all the time 🙂
Lindsay says
That’s quite the wake up call. Thanks for sharing the story — and this yummy and healthy recipe!
Kankana says
That is truly amazing… seriously !! And this dish looks so healthy and easy to cook!
Claudia says
Hurray for your father and his determination. Your chicken dish proves that healthy eating can be delicious. A little knowledge on how to add flavors in a healthy, sustainable humane way could reinvent how we eat. (Add yay to the homemade croutons).
Lindsey @ Lindselicious says
Your dad has amazing will power, what an inspiring turn around! Those croutons mixed in there seem like a great idea!
Kristi Rimkus says
What a testimony your dad is to changing your health through diet! Wonderful story and this meal looks like the perfect Sunday supper!
Kristi
Mina @ Angellove's Cooking says
Kate, your dad is great and so much reminds me my grandpa – reading your story makes me feel like I am telling it 🙂
And your chicken breast look absolutely perfect!! Love the croutons 🙂
Zenobia says
Love those home made croutons. Look so succulent
Theres an award waiting for you. http://t.co/N1E66kZ
Cheers, Zen
Sandra says
Great recipe and story. I’m a sweet a holic and love my treats, but I do eat healthy 80% of the time. Delicious and healthy can live together on the same plate. Glad your Dad made that decision.
Christine @ Fresh Local and Best says
I feel that many people need to do what your dad did. We live in a country where there are so many sugary, fatty processed foods. What we need to do is create an environment where we are surrounded by good healthy foods, so that the temptation isn’t there.
This looks like a such a satisfying and flavorful meal. The mushroom gravy must make all the difference in flavor.
Vicki @ Wilde in the Kitchen says
Kudos on your dad for turning around his habits so successfully! This meal looks amazing, the croutons and peas look like stuffing, yum!
Carla Meine says
Great post Kate..I wish more people had the resolve your dad did. We see all the time where they decide to get on a healthy eating plan and within about 4 weeks they go back to their old habits. So sad.
fooddreamer says
I feel for your dad, it comes as a shock to hear that sort of thing. In my case, I was 37 (still am for a few more days!) and I was not eating much junk and was relatively fit, but my sugar levels were still high (I don’t have blood pressure issues at all). Such is life! This is a great healthy meal to keep your dad and the rest of your family looking and feeling young!
Chef Dennis says
hi Kate
don’t we all wish we had the resolve your father had, to be able to changer your life in one day without looking back is almost impossible, and he did it!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful dish, it shows you can eat healthy and still eat good food
Cheers
Dennis
Kate @ Diethood.com says
Hi Dennis!
He quit smoking the same way; he lit a cigarette, said this is my last, and it really was…he was 31 at that time. The bad eating habits started because he gave up the cigs.
Mateja says
Wow, not everybody listens to the doctors advice! You should be very proud of your daddy Kate, God bless him! And the plate looks fabulous, thank you for sharing 🙂
HappyWhenNotHungry says
Good for your father! I’m glad he switched to healthy eating. This meal looks delicious and healthy too. Thanks for sharing Kate!
Hester aka The Chef Doc says
This dish looks awesome, Kate! And kudos to your dad. That’s awesome that he got through it and your mom was able to extract out wonderful flavors 🙂 I should cook more like this!
kathdedon says
Good for your dad! And he became such a great role model for the rest of the family. Too many people today choose to continue eating their bad diets and then try to fix the problems caused by their diets with pharmaceutical drugs.
Your chicken looks great! 🙂
Sandra says
I love love love this KAte..My favorite veggies are peas and together with chicken..yummm! Perfection!
Chris and Amy says
What a great idea! Never would have thought to use croutons that way.
Liz says
Wow, good for your dad!!! My mom used to make homemade croutons for our salads…love them!!!
Michelle says
I am a strong believer that good-tasting food doesn’t always have to be unhealthy. This dish looks great!
Jill Colonna says
Gosh, Kate. It just goes to show how a health fright like that can change everything. Good on your Dad how he changed to a healthy lifestyle just like that! Love the homemade croutons, nice touch.
In Katrina's Kitchen says
I’m so very proud of your dad! I know it doesn;t seem like it from my blog but we are very healthy eaters in our family – I just like blogging about the sweet stuff I guess. But my husband and I have started eating better in the past 5 years and are now living a very active lifestyle. We feel better and are enjoying time with our little kiddos. It certainly does take some creativity to get flavor in without all of the extra fat, etc. Great recipe! And great post! 🙂 – Katrina
Angie's Recipes says
This looks so YUMMY with homemade croutons!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Angie
something_good says
great story 🙂 eating healthy and giving up bad eating habits is definitely one of the hardest thing to do so congratulations to your father! my nutritionist will be sooo proud :))