Description
Crispy Lebanese arayes merge grilled pita with seasoned lamb, creating a street-style delicacy from Beirut’s bustling kitchens. Cheese and herbs elevate this shareable sandwich, inviting diners to savor Mediterranean flavors with each crunchy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef or ground lamb
- 4 pocketed pita breads
- ½ medium yellow onion
- 1 tbsp baharat spice
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 6 sprigs fresh parsley
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 medium lemon
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses (optional)
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsps tahini
- 2 tbsps water, plus more as needed
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Sumac (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Pulse yellow onion, parsley, garlic, tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, baharat, salt, cumin, allspice, and cayenne in a food processor until onions are coarsely chopped, creating a flavorful base for the meat mixture.
- Meat Mixture: Transfer processed ingredients to a large mixing bowl and gently fold ground beef or lamb into the blend, ensuring even distribution of spices and aromatics.
- Pita Preparation: Microwave pita stacks briefly to enhance pliability, then slice into half-moon shapes, creating perfect vessels for the seasoned meat filling.
- Filling and Cooking: Evenly spread meat mixture inside pita pockets, then brush exterior with olive oil. Heat cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat and cook arayes in batches, browning each side for 3-5 minutes while carefully monitoring meat doneness.
- Yogurt Sauce: Whisk together grated garlic, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, tahini, and water in a small bowl, gradually adjusting consistency and seasoning with salt and pepper. Optional: Garnish with sumac for an extra flavor dimension.
- Serving: Present hot arayes alongside the creamy yogurt sauce, inviting guests to enjoy this vibrant Middle Eastern delicacy with its crisp exterior and succulent, spice-infused interior.
Notes
- Meat Mixing Mastery: Gently fold ground meat with spice mixture to prevent overworking, which can make meat tough and dense.
- Pita Preparation Trick: Microwave pita stacks briefly to increase flexibility and prevent tearing when stuffing with meat filling.
- Browning Balance: Manage skillet heat carefully to achieve crispy golden exterior without burning, ensuring meat cooks completely inside.
- Sauce Smoothness Strategy: Add water incrementally when whisking yogurt sauce to control thickness and prevent watery consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 378
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 423 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg