Arayes (Middle Eastern Meat-Stuffed Pita)

Arayes (Middle Eastern Meat-Stuffed Pita)

from foodbymaria.com
35 min
6 servings

Arayes are a typical street food in the Middle East that are stuffed with minced meat. They are kid-friendly and delicious.

Ingredients

  • 3 pitas (5-6 inches in diameter), halved
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 small-medium yellow onion, grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, grated or pressed
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 6 tbsp fresh minced mint
  • 1/4 tsp chili flakes
  • lemon wedges
  • 1-2 tbsp fresh minced parsley
  • 1/2-1 cup tzatziki

Directions

  1. 1

    Make the meat filling: combine the beef, grated onion, grated garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, fresh mint and chili flakes in a bowl and mix well with your hands or a spatula to combine.

  2. 2

    Divide the meat filling into 6 portions. Shape each portion into a semi-circle that's just a bit smaller than half of a pita. Carefully open each pita half and put a flattened portion of meat into each. Close the pita and gently press to make the pita flat, the meat filling should be a half-inch thick.*Note: depending on the size of pita you use, you may have more or less portions. Simply use up the beef filling between as many pita halves as needed.

  3. 3

    Cook the pitas: Place a pan on medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. When the pan is hot add 2 pita halves and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and crispy, pressing down slightly on each side as the pita halves cook. Repeat until all pita halves have been cooked, adding more olive oil to the pan as needed.

  4. 4

    Serve pita halves with lemon wedges for squeezing lemon juice over top, a pinch of fresh minced parsley and tzatziki sauce for dipping.