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Meat Stuffed Pitas (Arayes)

A delicious Middle Eastern dish featuring juicy, seasoned ground lamb or beef stuffed inside soft pita bread, then grilled or baked to perfection.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keyword: Easy
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

Meat Filling

  • 1 pound Ground beef or lamb 85% lean
  • 1 small Yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 medium Tomato seeds removed and finely diced
  • 1 unit Chili deseeded and finely diced
  • ¼ cup Chopped parsley
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon Baharat
  • ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons Olive oil divided
  • 2 tablespoons Pomegranate molasses (optional)
  • 4-5 units Pitas

Instructions

  • Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or lamb) with the finely diced onion, diced tomato, chili, chopped parsley, and optional minced garlic. Stir the mixture to incorporate all the ingredients evenly.
  • Step 2: Add the baharat, ground cinnamon, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the meat mixture. Mix everything thoroughly until the spices are well-distributed throughout the filling.
  • Step 3: Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the optional pomegranate molasses into the meat mixture. Mix again to combine all the ingredients.
  • Step 4: Take each pita and gently open it up to create a pocket. Stuff a generous amount of the meat mixture into each pita, being careful not to overfill them. Press down slightly to pack the filling in well.
  • Step 5: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan to prevent sticking.
  • Step 6: Once the pan is hot, place the stuffed pitas in the pan. Cook each side for about 4-5 minutes or until the pitas are golden and crispy, and the filling is cooked through.
  • Step 7: Alternatively, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the pitas on a baking sheet for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once cooked, remove the arayes from the pan or oven. Let them cool for a few minutes before slicing in half.
  • Serve warm with your favorite dips, such as tahini, yogurt, or hummus. Enjoy the delightful flavors of these meat-stuffed pitas!

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Grill Pan or Skillet
  • Baking Sheet

Notes

Make sure to finely dice your vegetables for even cooking. Adjust spice levels according to your preference. Let the filling marinate for about 30 minutes before stuffing the pitas for enhanced flavors.