Arayes (Stuffed Grilled Pita)
Pita halves packed with spiced ground beef, onion, and parsley then grilled until the bread is charred and crisp and the meat is juicy throughout — a street-food staple from the Levant.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 4 pita bread rounds, halved to form pockets
- 1/2 yellow onion, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
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1
In a bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef (80/20), 1/2 grated yellow onion, 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 tsp ground allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper. Mix with your hands until evenly combined.
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2
Open each 4 halved to form pockets pita bread rounds and pack roughly a quarter of the meat mixture inside, pressing it into an even layer about 1/2 inch thick. Brush the outside of each stuffed pita with 2 tbsp olive oil.
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3
Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the stuffed pita for 4 to 5 minutes per side, pressing down gently with a spatula, until the bread is charred and crisp and the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
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4
Transfer to a cutting board, let rest for 2 minutes, then cut each pita half into strips. Serve hot with yogurt, hummus, or a simple tomato salad.