Crispy Lebanese Meat Stuffed Pita, commonly known as Arayes, is a popular Middle Eastern dish that hits all the right notes. This recipe features deliciously spiced meat stuffed into pita bread and then grilled or baked to perfect crispiness. It’s an easy-to-make dish that packs a punch in flavor and is great for sharing with friends and family.
Why Make This Recipe
Arayes is not only delicious but also versatile. It can be served as a snack, a main dish, or as part of a spread at gatherings. The combination of flavors from the spices and the crispy texture of the pita make it a standout dish. Plus, it’s simple enough for anyone to make at home without complicated steps. Making Arayes allows you to bring a taste of the Middle East to your kitchen.
How to Make Crispy Lebanese Meat Stuffed Pita – Arayes
Making Arayes involves three main components: the spiced meat filling, cooking the Arayes, and preparing a whipped tahini sauce to serve with it.
Ingredients:
- 5 pita bread, the thin pocket type (~15cm/6″ diameter, 250g/8oz pack), cut in half (Note 1)
- Olive oil spray (or brush with olive oil)
- 1/2 brown onion
- 500g/1 lb lamb or beef mince (ground meat) (Note 2)
- 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley (optional)
- 3 tsp ground coriander
- 3 tsp ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (sub plain paprika)
- 3/4 tsp ground allspice (sub mixed spice)
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (reduce/omit for less spicy – Note 4)
- 1 1/4 tsp cooking/kosher salt
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp tahini (or Chinese sesame paste – Note 5)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated
- 1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
Directions:
Spiced Meat Filling:
- Finely chop the half of the brown onion and sauté until soft.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked onion, lamb or beef mince, grated garlic, chopped parsley, ground coriander, ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground allspice, cayenne pepper, and salt.
- Mix well until all ingredients are fully blended.
Cooking Arayes:
- Preheat your grill or oven to medium-high heat.
- Take half of the pita bread and stuff each pocket with the spiced meat filling. Press gently to seal.
- Lightly spray or brush the outside of the stuffed pitas with olive oil.
- Grill the pitas for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
Whipped Tahini Sauce:
- In a bowl, combine yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, grated garlic, and salt.
- Whisk together until smooth and creamy.
How to Serve Crispy Lebanese Meat Stuffed Pita – Arayes
Serve Arayes hot, with a side of whipped tahini sauce for dipping. You can also add a fresh salad or pickled vegetables to complement the flavors. They make great appetizers at parties or even a tasty main course.
How to Store Crispy Lebanese Meat Stuffed Pita – Arayes
If you have leftovers, store the stuffed pitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can last for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back on the grill or in the oven for a few minutes until warmed and crispy.
Tips to Make Crispy Lebanese Meat Stuffed Pita – Arayes
- Be careful not to overstuff the pitas, as they may burst while cooking.
- Feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste; you can add more cayenne for heat or skip certain spices if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Experiment with different types of meat like chicken or turkey for a lighter version.
Variation
You can vary the filling by adding finely chopped vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini for added texture and flavor. Using different spices can also create unique taste profiles.
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought tahini sauce instead of making it?
Yes, you can use store-bought tahini sauce if you want to save time. Just drizzle it on top of the Arayes before serving.
2. Can I freeze Arayes?
Yes, you can freeze uncooked Arayes. Place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Just cook them from frozen when you’re ready to eat.
3. Are Arayes healthy?
When made with lean meat and whole-grain pita, Arayes can be a nutritious option. They are rich in protein and can be served with fresh vegetables for a balanced meal.
Arayes
Ingredients
For the spiced meat filling
- 0.5 medium brown onion Finely chopped
- 500 g lamb or beef mince Ground meat
- 2 cloves garlic Finely grated
- 1 tbsp parsley Finely chopped, optional
- 3 tsp ground coriander
- 3 tsp ground cumin
- 1.5 tsp smoked paprika Substitute plain paprika if desired
- 0.75 tsp ground allspice Substitute mixed spice if desired
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper Reduce/omit for less spice
- 1.25 tsp cooking/kosher salt
For the whipped tahini sauce
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp tahini Substitute with Chinese sesame paste if desired
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic Finely grated
- 0.5 tsp cooking/kosher salt
For the Arayes
- 5 pieces pita bread Thin pocket type, cut in half
- to taste olive oil Spray or brush on
Instructions
Preparation of Spiced Meat Filling
- Finely chop the half of the brown onion and sauté until soft.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked onion, lamb or beef mince, grated garlic, chopped parsley, ground coriander, ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground allspice, cayenne pepper, and salt.
- Mix well until all ingredients are fully blended.
Cooking Arayes
- Preheat your grill or oven to medium-high heat.
- Take half of the pita bread and stuff each pocket with the spiced meat filling. Press gently to seal.
- Lightly spray or brush the outside of the stuffed pitas with olive oil.
- Grill the pitas for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
Whipped Tahini Sauce Preparation
- In a bowl, combine yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, grated garlic, and salt.
- Whisk together until smooth and creamy.
