Arayes

Directions

  1. 1Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. 2Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  3. 3Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  4. 4Grate your onion and squeeze every last drop of liquid out using paper towel or cheesecloth.
  5. 5Grate your onion and squeeze every last drop of liquid out using paper towel or cheesecloth.
  6. 6Grate your onion and squeeze every last drop of liquid out using paper towel or cheesecloth.
  7. 7In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, tomato paste, minced garlic, all the spices (salt, black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, allspice), parsley, cilantro (if using), and the very dry grated onion.
  8. 8In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, tomato paste, minced garlic, all the spices (salt, black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, allspice), parsley, cilantro (if using), and the very dry grated onion.
  9. 9In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, tomato paste, minced garlic, all the spices (salt, black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, allspice), parsley, cilantro (if using), and the very dry grated onion.
  10. 10Mix with your hands for about 2 minutes.
  11. 11Mix with your hands for about 2 minutes.
  12. 12Mix with your hands for about 2 minutes.
  13. 13Cut each pita in half. If they don’t already have a pocket, carefully use a knife to make one.
  14. 14Cut each pita in half. If they don’t already have a pocket, carefully use a knife to make one.
  15. 15Cut each pita in half. If they don’t already have a pocket, carefully use a knife to make one.
  16. 16Pack them with your beef mixture, ensuring they are full but not bursting.
  17. 17Pack them with your beef mixture, ensuring they are full but not bursting.
  18. 18Pack them with your beef mixture, ensuring they are full but not bursting.
  19. 19Brush the outsides of the stuffed pitas lightly with olive oil.
  20. 20Brush the outsides of the stuffed pitas lightly with olive oil.
  21. 21Brush the outsides of the stuffed pitas lightly with olive oil.
  22. 22Heat a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat.
  23. 23Heat a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat.
  24. 24Heat a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat.
  25. 25Place each arayes meat-side down and sear for 1–2 minutes until you get a gorgeous crust.
  26. 26Place each arayes meat-side down and sear for 1–2 minutes until you get a gorgeous crust.
  27. 27Place each arayes meat-side down and sear for 1–2 minutes until you get a gorgeous crust.
  28. 28Then sear the pita sides until golden and crisp.
  29. 29Then sear the pita sides until golden and crisp.
  30. 30Then sear the pita sides until golden and crisp.
  31. 31Transfer the seared arayes to a baking sheet.
  32. 32Transfer the seared arayes to a baking sheet.
  33. 33Transfer the seared arayes to a baking sheet.
  34. 34Finish them in the oven for 10–15 minutes, until fully cooked through.
  35. 35Finish them in the oven for 10–15 minutes, until fully cooked through.
  36. 36Finish them in the oven for 10–15 minutes, until fully cooked through.
  37. 37While they bake, whisk together all the garlic tahini sauce ingredients (Greek yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh cilantro, cumin, salt, pepper, paprika) in a bowl.
  38. 38While they bake, whisk together all the garlic tahini sauce ingredients (Greek yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh cilantro, cumin, salt, pepper, paprika) in a bowl.
  39. 39While they bake, whisk together all the garlic tahini sauce ingredients (Greek yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh cilantro, cumin, salt, pepper, paprika) in a bowl.
  40. 40Taste and adjust lemon, salt, or garlic levels to your liking.
  41. 41Taste and adjust lemon, salt, or garlic levels to your liking.
  42. 42Taste and adjust lemon, salt, or garlic levels to your liking.
  43. 43When the arayes are hot out of the oven, optionally brush them with melted garlic herb butter.
  44. 44When the arayes are hot out of the oven, optionally brush them with melted garlic herb butter.
  45. 45When the arayes are hot out of the oven, optionally brush them with melted garlic herb butter.
  46. 46Enjoy!
  47. 47Enjoy!
  48. 48Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 4 small pitas
  • 4 small pitas
  • 4 small pitas
  • 1 yellow onion, grated & squeezed dry
  • 1 yellow onion, grated & squeezed dry
  • 1 yellow onion, grated & squeezed dry
  • 7 garlic cloves, minced
  • 7 garlic cloves, minced
  • 7 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 0.33 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 0.33 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 0.33 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 0.33 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 0.33 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 0.33 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 0.5 cup Greek yogurt
  • 0.5 cup Greek yogurt
  • 0.5 cup Greek yogurt
  • 3 tbsp tahini
  • 3 tbsp tahini
  • 3 tbsp tahini
  • 0.5 lemon, juiced
  • 0.5 lemon, juiced
  • 0.5 lemon, juiced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • melted garlic herb butter
  • melted garlic herb butter
  • melted garlic herb butter

Equipment

ovenpaper towelcheeseclothlarge bowlknifeskilletbaking sheetwhisk

Tips

  • Ensure the grated onion is very dry before mixing with beef.
  • Stuff the pitas full but avoid ripping them.
  • You can adjust lemon, salt, or garlic levels in the tahini sauce to your liking.