Grilled Arayes (Meat-Stuffed Pita) are one of the most popular hot appetizers in Levantine cuisine. They consist of pita bread stuffed with a flavorful ground meat mixture seasoned with herbs and spices, then grilled until the bread is crispy and the filling is tender and rich. Grilled Arayes are served hot with tahini sauce or salad, making them an ideal choice for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
– For the Tahini Sauce:
- Tahini: 2 tablespoons
- Mayonnaise: 1/4 cup (or Greek yogurt)
- Lemon juice: 1 lemon
- Salt: to taste
- Black pepper: to taste
- Water: as needed (to thin the consistency)
– Onions: 2 medium (quartered)
– Parsley: 1 cup (fresh, coarsely chopped)
– Salt: 1 tablespoon
– Black pepper: 1 teaspoon
– Pine nuts: 2 tablespoons (toasted)
– Thyme: 2 teaspoons (optional)
– Pita bread: 6 small pitas (cut in half)
– Olive oil: 1/3 cup (extra virgin, for brushing the bread)
Instructions
- Place the ground meat in a large bowl and mix until homogenous.
- In a food processor, pulse the onions and parsley until a coarse mixture forms. Transfer this mixture to a clean cloth and squeeze well to remove excess liquid.
- Add the onion and parsley mixture to the ground meat. Then, add the salt, black pepper, pine nuts, and thyme, if using. Knead the ingredients well until combined.
- To prepare the tahini sauce: Whisk together the tahini, mayonnaise (or yogurt), lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Gradually add a little water until you achieve a smooth, medium-consistency sauce.
- Stuff each pita half with about 1/2 cup of the meat mixture. Gently press to distribute the filling evenly inside the bread. Brush both sides of the pita with olive oil.
- Preheat your grill to high heat. Grill the Arayes for 1 to 2 minutes per side until they are browned and have grill marks.
- Reduce the heat or move the Arayes to a cooler part of the grill. Continue cooking for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, flipping occasionally, until the meat is cooked through and the bread is golden and crispy.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can sear the Arayes in a hot skillet on both sides, then transfer them to a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes until fully cooked.
- Cut the Arayes into desired portions and serve hot with the tahini sauce or your preferred sauce, alongside salad or pickles.
