Arayes: A Delicious Middle Eastern Delight
Arayes, also known as arayis, are a beloved Middle Eastern street food. These savory delights are essentially pita bread pockets filled with seasoned minced meat, often lamb or beef, and grilled to perfection. This recipe will guide you through making incredibly flavorful and satisfying arayes at home!
Ingredients You'll Need:
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For the Arayes:
- 1 lb ground lamb (or beef, or a mixture)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 10-12 pita breads (preferably large and thick)
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For Serving:
- Tahini sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Hummus
- Salad (tomato, cucumber, onion)
- Pickles
Step-by-Step Arayes Recipe:
Preparing the Meat Filling:
- Sauté the onion: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Brown the meat: Add the ground meat to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the spices: Stir in the cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute, allowing the spices to bloom.
- Incorporate the herbs: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the chopped parsley and mint.
Assembling and Grilling the Arayes:
- Prepare the pita: Gently open each pita bread to create a pocket. Be careful not to tear the bread.
- Fill the pita: Spoon a generous amount of the meat mixture into each pita pocket.
- Grill the arayes: Heat a grill pan or griddle over medium heat. Place the filled pita breads on the hot surface and grill for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the pita is nicely toasted and the meat is heated through. You can also cook these in a skillet on the stovetop.
- Serve immediately: Remove the arayes from the grill and serve immediately with your favorite toppings like tahini sauce, hummus, salad, and pickles.
Tips for the Perfect Arayes:
- Don't overfill: Too much filling can cause the pita to burst while grilling.
- Use high-quality pita bread: Thicker pita bread will hold the filling better.
- Adjust the spices: Feel free to adjust the amount of spices to your liking.
- Get creative with toppings: Experiment with different sauces and toppings to find your perfect combination.
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