Arayes (Lebanese Meat-Stuffed Pitas)
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- mixing spoon
- measuring spoons
- cast iron skillet
- tongs
- baking dish
Ingredients
- 6 mini pita
- 4 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 lb ground lamb
- ½ yellow onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tbsp parsley minced
- 2 tbsp mint minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tbsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 pound of ground lamb with the chopped yellow onions, garlic, parsley, mint, cumin, red pepper flakes, cayenne, chili powder, salt and black pepper. Combine Well
- Cut the mini pitas in half. Stuff each half pita with some of the combined mixture, be sure to evenly distribute the mixture.
- Ensure each halved pita is well stuffed. Cut each half pita again, making 4 pieces from 1 mini pita.
- Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a cast iron skillet over low-medium heat. Once oil is hot, place the meat pies in batches in the oil. Cook on each side for 5-6 minutes.
- Remove meat pies from cast iron skillet and place on baking dish. Cook meat pies in oven for about 5 minutes at 350℉ to ensure the meat pies are cooked through.
Notes
Ground lamb can be substituted with ground beef, ground chicken, or a combination of any of the three. Serve Arayes with your preferred choice of dipping sauce (such as tahini sauce, hot sauce, or garlic sauce) and sides (such as rice, salad, or yogurt).