Meat, Maghreb and Middle East
Arayes with salad
Arayes are pita breads stuffed with a herbed mix of ground beef and lamb, then grilled in a pan or oven until crisp. This recipe serves 4, takes 35 minutes, is rated easy, and costs about €2.60 per person. The key is spreading the filling in a thin layer so it cooks through without burning the bread.
Tonight we're grilling pitas until crisp, stuffed with herbed ground meat, it's called arayes and it won't last long on the table.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost per person
- €2.60
- Calories per person
- 570 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- The kids
- They generally like it
An araye is a pita hiding a well seasoned ground meat filling, grilled until the outside turns golden and crisp while the inside stays juicy. The mix of beef and lamb brings flavor without heaviness, lifted by cumin, paprika, and fresh parsley. It's a dish you eat with your hands, served in warm triangles straight from the pan.
This recipe works perfectly on a weeknight, quick to pull together with nothing more than a skillet. Kids usually love the sandwich shape and the crunch of the pita, while adults enjoy the spices. The lemony tomato and cucumber salad adds the freshness that balances the grilled meat.
The ingredients
Bakery
- Pita breads 4
Butcher
- Ground beef 250 g
- Ground lamb 250 g
Fruits and vegetables
- Onion 1
- Parsley 1 bunch
- Tomato 1
- Tomatoes 3
- Cucumber 1
- Lemon 1
Pantry
- Paprikaoften in the pantry 1 tsp
- Cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
- Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
- Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
- Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch
Allergens Gluten
The step by step recipe
-
Finely chop the onion, parsley, and the seeded tomato, then mix them into the meat with the paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Squeeze the tomato in your hand to remove the juice, otherwise the filling turns watery.
-
Cut each pita in half and open them into pockets, then stuff the filling inside, spreading it all the way to the edges.
Spread the filling in a thin layer so it cooks through without burning the bread.
-
Brush the pitas with olive oil.
Brush both sides for an even result.
-
Grill them in a skillet or in the oven at 200°C, flipping once and pressing them gently. 15 min
Press with a spatula while cooking, the meat bonds to the bread.
-
Dice the tomatoes and cucumber, season with lemon, olive oil, salt, and serve alongside the arayes cut in half.
Salt the salad at the last moment so it stays crisp.
Our tips to get it right
- Pick pitas that aren't too thick, they're easier to stuff and grill more evenly.
- Don't overstuff the pitas, a thin layer of filling cooks through without burning the bread.
- If you're cooking in a skillet, use a lid or a flat plate to press down lightly, it helps the meat bond to the bread.
The variations
- Swap the lamb for more ground beef if you prefer a milder, less distinctive flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with mashed chickpeas, onion, and the same spices.
- For kids, cut the paprika and cumin in half and slice the arayes into small bites instead of triangles.
What to serve it with
- Garlic yogurt sauce
- Hummus as a starter
- Mint tea
Storage
Raw filling keeps for 1 day in the fridge in a sealed container. Cooked arayes keep for 2 days in the fridge and reheat well in a dry skillet over low heat to bring back the crispness. Freezing isn't recommended, the bread loses its texture.
Questions about this dish
Can you make the filling ahead of time?
Yes, mix the meat and spices the day before and keep it covered in the fridge. Stuff the pitas just before grilling so the bread doesn't go soft.
Can you use a different bread instead of pita?
Pita works best since it forms a pocket that's easy to stuff and turns crisp when cooked. A thin Lebanese flatbread can also work, as long as it folds into a pocket.
How do you keep the filling from sticking to the bread?
Spread the filling in a thin layer and press the arayes gently with a spatula while cooking. The heat and pressure help the meat bond to the bread.
Can you bake the arayes instead of pan frying them?
Yes, a 200°C oven works very well and lets you cook several arayes at once. Flip them once halfway through so both sides turn golden.
How long does it take to make arayes with a side salad?
Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.
How many calories are in arayes with a side salad?
About 570 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.
How much does arayes with a side salad cost?
About €2.60 per serving, or €10.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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