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Arayes are meat-stuffed pitas, served filled with kofta, a Middle Eastern dish with ground lamb or beef mixed with aromatics and spices, commonly served as street food.
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Arayes Recipe

Arayes are meat-stuffed pitas, served filled with kofta, a Middle Eastern dish with ground lamb or beef mixed with aromatics and spices, commonly served as street food.
Course Sandwich
Cuisine Israeli, Lebanese, middle eastern
Keyword arayes, easy recipe, ground lamb, Israeli, kofta, lamb, lamb sandwich, lebanese, pita, street food, tahini
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 581kcal

Ingredients

For the meat mixture:

  • ½ cup chopped yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed
  • ½ cup packed flat-leaf parsley
  • ½ cup packed cilantro
  • 1 pound ground lamb
  • 1 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoons coriander
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • Kosher salt, as needed
  • Freshly ground black pepper, as needed
  • 4 pitas
  • ¼ cup olive oil

For serving:

  • Tahini, for serving
  • Hot sauce, as needed, for serving

Instructions

For the meat mixture:

  • Add the onion, garlic, parsley and cilantro to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse until the onion and herbs are minced.
  • In a large bowl, use your hands to combine the lamb with the onion and herb mixture. Add the paprika, coriander, cumin and cayenne. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour or up to a day before cooking.
  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
  • Cut each pita in half widthwise. Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal pieces, spreading each evenly with the lamb mixture. Close and cut each pita piece in half again so you have 8 pieces total.
  • Heat a large cast iron skillet or other oven safe pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and heat through. Add the arayes, with a meat mixture side down on the pan. Sear the meat until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Rotate and sear the other side of the meat mixture for an additional 3 minutes.
  • Lay the pita down in the pan and move the pan to the oven (if needed arrange on a baking sheet), cooking until the lamb is cooked through, about 8 minutes.

For serving:

  • Add the tahini to a small bowl. Serve the arayes with the tahini and hot sauce.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 581kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 396mg | Potassium: 180mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 912IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 4mg