Arayes are Lebanese pita pockets stuffed with seasoned ground beef kofta and pan-fried until golden and crispy. They're a quick, handheld appetizer or main course that comes together in under 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.
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In a large bowl, mix well the ground beef, chopped onion, chopped parsley, Lebanese 7-spice mix, salt, pepper, and optional chili powder.
Cut the pita bread in half and gently open the sides to make the pockets.
Spread a portion of the meat mixture on the inside of each pita pocket. Use as much meat as you want—I stuff them with 1/4 cup of the mix per pocket.
You can cook the arayes on the grill, on a grill pan, or in the oven. On a grill pan: Heat it over medium heat and brush it with olive oil. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Press them lightly to cook evenly.In the oven: Brush a baking tray with oil or cover it with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 400ºF/200ºC for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.On the grill: Preheat to medium-high heat and grill for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.Check for doneness: the internal temperature of the meat should be 160°F/71°C, and there should be no visible pinkness.
You can optionally keep the arayes warn in the oven at 120ºF/50ºC. Then, serve them hot, and enjoy!
Yes. Prepare the meat filling up to 1 day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Assemble and pan-fry just before serving for best crispness.
Make a blend of 2 parts cinnamon, 1 part cloves, 1 part nutmeg, 1 part allspice, 1 part black pepper, ½ part coriander, and ½ part ginger. Or use sumac, cinnamon, and allspice as a simpler alternative.
Pat the pita dry before filling, don't overstuff, and press the edges firmly together. Pan-fry over medium heat so the outside seals before the inside gets too hot.
Yes. Brush assembled arayes with olive oil and bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until golden. They won't be as crispy as pan-fried but are still good.
Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side to restore crispness.
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