Arayes - Stuffed Pita
Arayes - Stuffed Pita
Ingredients
For the Beef Filling
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or paste
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried mint
- 1 tablespoon harissa, or red pepper paste
For Assembling and Cooking
- 4 pita bread, round
- 1/4 cup olive oil
For Serving (Optional Garnishes & Sauces)
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses, for dipping
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt, for dipping
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the pita bread: Take each round pita bread and carefully cut it halfway down the middle to create a pocket. This will allow you to stuff the filling inside.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
Make the stuffing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, minced garlic, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, salt, black pepper, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, dried mint, and harissa. Use your hands to thoroughly mix all the ingredients until they are well combined and the spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Stuff the pita: Gently open each pita pocket created in Step 1. Generously stuff each half with the seasoned ground beef mixture, ensuring the meat is evenly distributed inside the pita. Don't overstuff, but make sure there's a good layer of meat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Sear the Arayes: Heat a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil to the pan, ensuring it coats the bottom. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the stuffed pita halves into the pan. Sear them on both sides until they are golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per side. Crucially, also sear the meat side directly on the pan by pressing it down gently to ensure the ground beef cooks completely through. The meat will cook fully during this searing process.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 350
- 5
Serve: Once cooked, remove the Arayes from the pan and place them on a cutting board. Cut each stuffed pita into smaller, manageable pieces, typically triangles or quarters. Arrange them on a serving platter. Garnish with additional crumbled feta, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately with pomegranate molasses and plain yogurt for dipping.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Arayes - Stuffed Pita
Ingredients
For the Beef Filling
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or paste
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried mint
- 1 tablespoon harissa, or red pepper paste
For Assembling and Cooking
- 4 pita bread, round
- 1/4 cup olive oil
For Serving (Optional Garnishes & Sauces)
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses, for dipping
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt, for dipping
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the pita bread: Take each round pita bread and carefully cut it halfway down the middle to create a pocket. This will allow you to stuff the filling inside.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Make the stuffing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, minced garlic, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, salt, black pepper, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, dried mint, and harissa. Use your hands to thoroughly mix all the ingredients until they are well combined and the spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Stuff the pita: Gently open each pita pocket created in Step 1. Generously stuff each half with the seasoned ground beef mixture, ensuring the meat is evenly distributed inside the pita. Don't overstuff, but make sure there's a good layer of meat.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Sear the Arayes: Heat a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil to the pan, ensuring it coats the bottom. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the stuffed pita halves into the pan. Sear them on both sides until they are golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per side. Crucially, also sear the meat side directly on the pan by pressing it down gently to ensure the ground beef cooks completely through. The meat will cook fully during this searing process.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 350 - 5
Serve: Once cooked, remove the Arayes from the pan and place them on a cutting board. Cut each stuffed pita into smaller, manageable pieces, typically triangles or quarters. Arrange them on a serving platter. Garnish with additional crumbled feta, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately with pomegranate molasses and plain yogurt for dipping.
⏱️ 3 min