Arayes (Lebanese crispy meat stuffed pitas) are a delicious marriage of spicy, aromatic meat filling with golden, crisp pan-fried pita. A tahini yogurt sauce is served alongside.
Prep Time::15 mins
Cook Time::10 mins
Chill Time:: 1 hr
Total Time:: 1 hr 25 mins
Servings::4
Ingredients
Filling:
12 ounces ground lamb, beef, or turkey
1/4 cup chopped parsley
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
3 tablespoons grated yellow onion
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Tahini Yogurt Sauce:
1 rounded tablespoon tahini
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 clove garlic, finely grated
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
Arayes:
2 pita breads
3 tablespoons olive oil for pan-frying
lemon wedges (optional)
Directions
Add meat to a bowl and sprinkle with parsley, minced garlic, onion, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, allspice, 1 teaspoon cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Use a fork or your hands to mix everything evenly. Cover and chill at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours.
For the sauce, add tahini, lemon juice, and water to a microwave-safe bowl and cook on High until very hot, about 30 seconds. Add to a bowl with yogurt, grated garlic, pinch cayenne, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk until smooth and light. Chill until needed.
Cut each pita in half and carefully open up without tearing the edges. Pitas can be warmed in a dry pan to soften them, which can make opening easier.
Divide meat into 4 equal portions, and transfer into each pita half. Press and squeeze pita gently to distribute meat in an even layer that comes all the way to the cut side.
Heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook each stuffed pita until meat is cooked through and bread is nicely browned and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Serve hot with sauce on the side.
John Mitzewich
Chef’s Note:
Since there is not a lot of filling, it is very aggressively seasoned. All spice measurements are “to taste” and should be adjusted as desired. A small amount of filling can be cooked and tested to make sure.