Arayes
Arayes
Ingredients
For the Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef, 85/15
- 1 yellow onion, small, grated and squeezed dry
- 5 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 1 jalapeño, grated
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/3 cup parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ice water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Arayes Assembly
- 4 pita bread, cut in half
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for brushing
- 1 clove garlic, minced, for brushing
- 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped, for brushing
For the Garlic Tahini Yogurt Sauce
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 3 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 1/2 lemon juice, from 1/2 lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. This will be used to finish cooking the arayes.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350
- 2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion (squeezed dry), 5 finely grated garlic cloves, grated jalapeño, tomato paste, 1/3 cup finely chopped parsley, 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon ice water, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 2 teaspoons cumin, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon allspice, 1 teaspoon coriander, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is slightly sticky.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Take the 4 pitas, cut in half. For easier opening, microwave the pita halves for a few seconds until slightly warm. Gently open each pita pocket to create a space for the filling. Spread a thin, even layer of the prepared meat mixture inside each pita pocket. Once stuffed, generously brush the outside of each pita with olive oil.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Heat a large pan or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place the arayes meat-side down first and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until a nice char develops. Then, flip the arayes and cook each pita side until golden brown and crispy. This step creates a delicious crust.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Transfer the pan-cooked arayes to a baking sheet. Place them in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 155°F.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 350
- 6
While the arayes are cooking in the oven, prepare the garlic tahini yogurt sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the 3/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup tahini, 3 finely grated garlic cloves, the juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley, and 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro. Whisk all ingredients together until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Once the arayes are removed from the oven, in a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 1 minced garlic clove and 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley. Brush this mixture generously over the hot arayes. Serve immediately with the prepared Garlic Tahini Yogurt Sauce for dipping.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Arayes
For the Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef, 85/15
- 1 yellow onion, small, grated and squeezed dry
- 5 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 1 jalapeño, grated
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/3 cup parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ice water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Arayes Assembly
- 4 pita bread, cut in half
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for brushing
- 1 clove garlic, minced, for brushing
- 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped, for brushing
For the Garlic Tahini Yogurt Sauce
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 3 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 1/2 lemon juice, from 1/2 lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. This will be used to finish cooking the arayes.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350 - 2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion (squeezed dry), 5 finely grated garlic cloves, grated jalapeño, tomato paste, 1/3 cup finely chopped parsley, 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon ice water, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 2 teaspoons cumin, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon allspice, 1 teaspoon coriander, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is slightly sticky.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Take the 4 pitas, cut in half. For easier opening, microwave the pita halves for a few seconds until slightly warm. Gently open each pita pocket to create a space for the filling. Spread a thin, even layer of the prepared meat mixture inside each pita pocket. Once stuffed, generously brush the outside of each pita with olive oil.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Heat a large pan or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place the arayes meat-side down first and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until a nice char develops. Then, flip the arayes and cook each pita side until golden brown and crispy. This step creates a delicious crust.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Transfer the pan-cooked arayes to a baking sheet. Place them in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 155°F.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 350 - 6
While the arayes are cooking in the oven, prepare the garlic tahini yogurt sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the 3/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup tahini, 3 finely grated garlic cloves, the juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley, and 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro. Whisk all ingredients together until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Once the arayes are removed from the oven, in a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 1 minced garlic clove and 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley. Brush this mixture generously over the hot arayes. Serve immediately with the prepared Garlic Tahini Yogurt Sauce for dipping.
⏱️ 5 min