Arayes

Name: Arayes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Lebanese
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 0.5 cup red onion, finely minced; 3 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped; 0.5 cup tomato, finely diced; 0.5 tsp ground cumin; 0.25 tsp ground allspice; 0.125 tsp ground cinnamon; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp olive oil; 4 pita bread

Spiced ground meat sandwiched between two halves of pita bread and grilled until crispy on the outside. A beloved Lebanese street food that's savory, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

25 minEasyServes 4340 cal/serving

LebaneseLunchGrillStandard

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Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
0.5 cup red onion, finely minced
3 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
0.5 cup tomato, finely diced
0.5 tsp ground cumin
0.25 tsp ground allspice
0.125 tsp ground cinnamon
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
4 pita bread

Instructions

1

In a bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 0.5 cup finely minced red onion, 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley, 0.5 cup finely diced tomato, 0.5 tsp ground cumin, 0.25 tsp ground allspice, 0.125 tsp ground cinnamon, 0.5 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp black pepper.
2

Mix gently until just combined.
3

Using a sharp knife, carefully create a pocket inside each 4 pita bread by cutting it horizontally, being careful not to break through the edges.
4

Divide filling evenly and stuff into the pita pockets.
5

Brush exterior of pita with 2 tbsp olive oil.
6

Heat grill to medium-high heat.
7

Grill filled pita for 4-5 minutes per side until crispy and golden AND meat reaches 160°F internal temperature, pressing gently with a spatula.
8

Serve warm with tahini sauce on the side.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Arayes reach?

For Arayes, the target internal temperature is 160 F (about 70 C), given in step 7. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Why does Arayes say not to overmix?

Step 2 reads: "Mix gently until just combined." Stirring develops gluten, and gluten makes quick batters tough and tunneled. Stop at step 2 while a few streaks of flour remain; they hydrate on their own.

Is there a substitute for allspice in Arayes?

The entry for Arayes calls for 0.25 tsp ground allspice. In its place: Equal parts ground cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in Arayes?

Yes. Choose turkey that is not extra-lean and add a tablespoon of oil to the pan, because turkey has less fat and browns more slowly. Season it a little harder than you would beef. As written, the entry for Arayes uses 1 lb ground beef.

How many calories are in Arayes?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 340 calories, with 20 g protein, 28 g carbohydrate and 16 g fat, plus 1 g fiber and 480 mg sodium.

How long does Arayes keep?

Refrigerate what is left of Arayes within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat in a hot skillet rather than the microwave to keep the char.

Serve it with

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