Cheese Stuffed Arayes
Cheese Stuffed Arayes
Ingredients
For the Arayes
- 2 pita breads
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
For the Meat Mix
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1/2 onion, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground clove
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Yogurt Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and roughly chopped
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1/2 cup water, up to 1 cup, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Grate the onion. Place the grated onion in a cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible. Discard the liquid.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
In a large bowl, combine the squeezed grated onion, ground beef or lamb, minced garlic, chopped parsley, allspice, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ground clove, nutmeg, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
To prepare the yogurt sauce, combine Greek yogurt, tahini, chopped parsley, roughly chopped jalapeno, garlic clove, a pinch of kosher salt, and the juice of 1 lemon in a blender. Blend until smooth. Gradually add 1/2 to 1 cup of water, blending until the sauce reaches your desired loosened consistency.
⏱️ 8 min
- 5
Cut each pita bread in half to create pockets. Take approximately half of the prepared meat mix and spread it evenly inside one pita half. Create a small well in the center of the meat, then place a portion of the shredded mozzarella cheese into the well. Cover the cheese with the remaining portion of the meat mix, ensuring the meat mixture seals all holes in the pita to prevent cheese from leaking out.
⏱️ 7 min
- 6
Repeat the stuffing process for the remaining pita halves. Brush both sides of each stuffed pita generously with olive oil.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the stuffed arayes into the pan (you may need to do this in batches). Sear for 2-3 minutes per side, or until all sides are golden brown and have a nice crust.
⏱️ 10 min
- 8
Transfer the seared arayes to the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375
- 9
Remove the arayes from the oven. Serve immediately with the prepared yogurt sauce for dipping. Enjoy!
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cheese Stuffed Arayes
For the Arayes
- 2 pita breads
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
For the Meat Mix
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1/2 onion, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground clove
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Yogurt Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and roughly chopped
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1/2 cup water, up to 1 cup, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Grate the onion. Place the grated onion in a cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible. Discard the liquid.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
In a large bowl, combine the squeezed grated onion, ground beef or lamb, minced garlic, chopped parsley, allspice, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ground clove, nutmeg, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
To prepare the yogurt sauce, combine Greek yogurt, tahini, chopped parsley, roughly chopped jalapeno, garlic clove, a pinch of kosher salt, and the juice of 1 lemon in a blender. Blend until smooth. Gradually add 1/2 to 1 cup of water, blending until the sauce reaches your desired loosened consistency.
⏱️ 8 min - 5
Cut each pita bread in half to create pockets. Take approximately half of the prepared meat mix and spread it evenly inside one pita half. Create a small well in the center of the meat, then place a portion of the shredded mozzarella cheese into the well. Cover the cheese with the remaining portion of the meat mix, ensuring the meat mixture seals all holes in the pita to prevent cheese from leaking out.
⏱️ 7 min - 6
Repeat the stuffing process for the remaining pita halves. Brush both sides of each stuffed pita generously with olive oil.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the stuffed arayes into the pan (you may need to do this in batches). Sear for 2-3 minutes per side, or until all sides are golden brown and have a nice crust.
⏱️ 10 min - 8
Transfer the seared arayes to the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375 - 9
Remove the arayes from the oven. Serve immediately with the prepared yogurt sauce for dipping. Enjoy!
⏱️ 2 min