Arayes (Stuffed Grilled Pita)

Name: Arayes (Stuffed Grilled Pita)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
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

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.

35 minEasyServes 4400 cal/serving

Middle EasternAppetizerGrill and StovetopHigh ProteinNut-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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

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.
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.
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).
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.

Questions

Can I make Arayes (Stuffed Grilled Pita) gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 4 pita bread rounds, halved to form pockets. Swap the bread or crumbs for a gluten-free loaf or gluten-free panko. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Arayes (Stuffed Grilled Pita) keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat in a hot skillet rather than the microwave to keep the char.

Can I halve or double Arayes (Stuffed Grilled Pita)?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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