Shrimp Scampi Sandwich...

The mister doesn't like to eat foods he can't pronounce (hummus) or spell (hummus) or foods that conjure up images of a food court at the mall (hummus)...so serving him something with hummus in pita pockets could have turned ugly - but it was a risk I was willing to take for Day 6 of his healthy eating punishment. As long as I called the hummus "dip" he would be fine...and as long as I called the pita a sandwich and avoided the word pocket, he would remain happily ignorant. So I was very careful when I handed him his dinner...I told him he was eating a shrimp sandwich ...the word sprout was never said out loud...and no mention was made of the spinach that lined the pita. Two bites into his shrimp sandwich, I asked him how he liked it, he said, "It's good! The bread's a little thin but I love the flavored mayo!" Flavored mayo? Think again Emerilstein...it's like taking candy from a baby...only better.

Traditional shrimp scampi is made with lemon and garlic and is usually served hot. Think of this as cold shrimp scampi because the hummus, made with white kidney beans, is surprisingly light and zingy with lemon juice and zest and then the garlic sneaks up on you. Parsley, olive oil and tahini (sesame seed paste, kind of like peanut butter but without the peanuts :) ) round out the rest of the ingredients in the hummus - which is used as a spread on the sandwich and, since there will be plenty of extra, is great as a dip with pita or tortilla chips. It's so easy to prepare and so good and GOOD FOR YOU...of course, that was never mentioned to the mister...why poke the bear? The mister liked this sandwich so much he didn't ONCE complain about it which means he didn't think he was eating healthy.

• Hummus spread inside the pita: check
• Fresh spinach stuffed on top of hummus: check
• Fresh sprouts piled on top of spinach:
• About a dozen or so shrimp crammed into pocket, er, sandwich: check
• Healthy and delicious: check
• High in protein, low in carbs: check
• You can fool some of the people some of the time...and the mister all of the time: check
• Shrimp Scampi Sandwich - Me
• For the hummus:
• 1 can (15.5 oz.) white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 tablespoons tahini (available in most grocery stores next to the peanut butter)
• 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley
• zest from one lemon
• juice from one lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• For the sandwich:
• 4 pita pockets
• 16 fresh spinach leaves
• 1 package (6 oz.) fresh sprouts (I used broccoli sprouts)
• 48 medium shrimp, cooked, deveined, tails removed, rinsed

To make hummus: In the bowl of a food processor combine all ingredients except the olive oil and process until smooth. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, after 1/4 cup has been added, check consistency, you want the hummus to be like a thick mayonnaise. Add in the rest of the oil if needed.

To assemble sandwiches: Cut off about the top quarter of a pita pocket and heat pocket in microwave for about 12 seconds, just enough to warm them slightly so they'll open easier. Once open, generously spread the hummus on both sides, inside of the pocket. Add in 4 spinach leaves. Add in sprouts, about 3 tablespoons per pita. Stuff shrimp into the pocket, trying to get about a dozen or so in each pocket. Serve cold. Makes 4 pita sandwiches. There will be extra hummus so serve it alongside, if desired with chips and/or more shrimp.