When I was 14, my Grannie took me to Paris. It was my first time out of the country and I’m 95% sure she took me over my brother because I had been taking French for several years in school. I wasn’t fluent by any means, but I could sure produce the correct word for most any noun in the French language. It was helpful and I knew more French at that time than I did going back to Paris in my early 20′s with Mr. Prevention.
My brother is still bitter about me being able to go to Paris with Grannie and not him.
Which he should be. Paris is…amazing.
My Grannie and I did a lot of walking, a lot of getting lost, and a lot of sandwich-eating. Some of my fondest memories from Paris include sitting at cafes eating sandwiches on baguettes and taking in the views.
Another fond memory is taking a dinner cruise on the river and at 14, being served FOUR different wines with our meal. And caviar. Which, regrettably, I didn’t try. Today, I’d jump at the chance! I do remember we had some trouble stumbling to hail a cab and make it back to our hotel. Party animal Grannie 
The only thing that’s better than admiring the Eiffel Tower is doing so while eating a freshly baked baguette…or a sandwich on a baguette. Or maybe this sandwich — a shrimp boat.
I used a whole grain baguette and because you hollow out much of the center, this is a much lower-calorie and lower-carb meal choice than what meets the eye. The shrimp are sauteed to perfection in butter, olive oil, wine, and garlic. Is there a more heavenly combination? Better yet, this meal comes together really quickly and is one classy sandwich.
Shrimp Boats slightly adapted from Baked Bree
1 whole grain baquette, cut on the diagonal into 4 5-inch pieces (ends discarded)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, chopped finely
1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes, sliced into thin strips
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup white wine
2/3 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced into thin ribbons
2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated or finely shredded
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Chop and prepare all ingredients as the cooking time goes quickly.
Slice the baguette into 3 wedges on the diagonal, about 4-5 inches each. Using a knife, cut a hole about halfway into the baguette, making a boat of sorts. Bake the bread while preparing, about 8 minutes.
Heat a medium saute pan over medium high heat. Add the olive oil, shallots, and sun dried tomatoes. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes or until the shallots begin to soften.
Add the wine and garlic; cook for about 30 seconds. Add the shrimp.
When the shrimp are almost cooked, add the butter, stirring to thicken. Take the bread out of the oven and pour some of the sauce directly into the bread. Top with the shrimp and remaining sauce. Garnish with chopped basil and Parmesan cheese.
Yield: 4 boats.
Nutrition Information (per serving): 498 calories; 21.8 g. fat; 102 mg. cholesterol; 562 mg. sodium; 46.3 g. carbohydrate; 5.3 g. fiber; 26 g. protein
Result: Great-looking and tasting! This sandwich is perfect for dolling up a lunch or dinner while still keeping the waistline in mind. I cut a lot of calories from this recipe by reducing the fat. And still, there was a ton of flavor and texture. These were fun to eat and would be great for lunch or dinner. Mr. Prevention thoroughly enjoyed these, too.
Teaching and a workout! Happy Birthday to my dad! 
Be well,
Seriously, Paris?! I’m jealous too!! Why didn’t Grannie take me?!
We’re making a Cajun shrimp dish this Friday for dinner with friends, but I’m wishing we would have chosen this dish instead (the men would have liked it much better!!).
Rarely do I splurge for the good bread when making sandwiches at home. Sometimes I forget how it can be the bread that totally makes the sandwich…
Wow, your brother has the right to be jealous…I am! It’s one of those bucket list things once we’re at goal so we don’t go over and perpetuate the ‘fat American’ stereotype. These look wonderful! I just happen to have some leftover shrimp so a baguette is on my shopping list!
It looks delicious. The bread would be fantastic if all the sauce from the shrimp is absorbed.
You’re brother has my sympathy! That sounds like an awesome trip!
This is on my menu for tomorrow night (thanks to your menu plan!). Can’t wait to sink my teeth into it (:
I’d be bitter too!
Great photos
Don’t discard the ends! Eat those up with some cheese or butter
I love this idea. It’s like a sandwich, only different, and much fancier.
Paris would be amazing. I’d love to go there someday – if I can get over my fear of airplanes.
I love that you traveled with your grandmother! What a fantastic experience.
Awww, what a sweet Grannie! I’d be jealous too, lol! Memories of food are the best — they really do live on forever.
These shrimp boats look amazing! I love shrimp but I don’t eat it enough for some reason — I really want to serve it more!
Wow, that looks divine!!! I love shrimp anything, especially in a boat.
Matt and I spent a week in Paris as part of our 3 week wedding/honeymoon trip to Europe. It’s a pretty great city, that’s for sure. There are a tonne of things to do and to see.
All we ate while we were there was wine and baguette sandwiches with lunch meat we bought from the grocery store and baguettes from the bakery. I loved how everyone would picnic in the parks with their wine and just enjoy the outdoors. It was great!
I’ve stepped my foot into Canada – but that’s about it! Love this dish Nicole. And happy bday to Papa Prevention!
Paris! Granny is kinda evil to only take one sibling. That would never have worked in our family–we would have torn each other’s eyes out in jealous rages. But my fam is maybe more dramatic than others-lol. What a memory to have with your grandma though! I’m sure you will always treasure it. The shrimp boats sound so good–I love a meal that is deceptively low cal. I usually accomplish this with extra veg but I love the hollowed out bread boat idea!