Arayes with Garlic Tahini Yogurt Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (85/15)
• 1 yellow onion (small, grated and squeezed dry)
• 5 cloves garlic (finely grated)
• 1 jalapeño (grated)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 0.333 cup parsley (finely chopped)
• 0.25 cup cilantro (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for meat mixture)
• 1 tbsp ice water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp cumin (for meat mixture)
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp allspice
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 0.25 tsp cinnamon
• 4 pitas (cut in half)
• 0.75 cup Greek yogurt
• 0.25 cup tahini
• 3 cloves garlic (finely grated, for sauce)
• 0.5 lemon lemon juice (juice of ½ lemon)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for sauce)
• 0.5 tsp salt (for sauce)
• 0.25 tsp cumin (for sauce)
• 2 tbsp parsley (finely chopped, for sauce)
• 2 tbsp cilantro (finely chopped, for sauce)
• olive oil (for brushing the outside generously and for finishing; amount not specified)
• garlic (minced, mixed with olive oil and parsley for brushing; amount not specified)
• parsley (for finishing brush mixture; amount not specified)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. 2

   Grate the small onion and squeeze out its excess liquid. Finely grate the garlic and jalapeño, and chop the parsley and cilantro as listed.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, five grated garlic cloves, grated jalapeño, tomato paste, parsley, cilantro, olive oil, ice water, salt, black pepper, cumin, paprika, allspice, coriander, garlic powder, and cinnamon. Mix until fully combined and slightly sticky.

4. 4

   Cut each pita in half. If the pockets are difficult to open, microwave the pita halves for a few seconds, then gently open each pocket.

5. 5

   Spread a thin layer of the meat mixture inside each pita half, taking care not to tear the bread.

6. 6

   Brush the outside of each stuffed pita generously with olive oil.

7. 7

   Heat a pan over medium heat. Place the arayes meat-side down and cook for 1–2 minutes until charred.

8. 8

   Flip the arayes and cook each pita side until golden and crispy.

9. 9

   Transfer the arayes to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the meat reaches 155°F (68°C) internally.

10. 10

    While the arayes cook, combine the Greek yogurt, tahini, three grated garlic cloves, juice of half a lemon, olive oil, salt, cumin, parsley, and cilantro. Mix until smooth.

11. 11

    Mix olive oil with minced garlic and parsley for the finishing brush; the source does not specify amounts.

12. 12

    Brush the hot arayes with the olive oil, garlic, and parsley mixture. Serve with the dipping sauce.

Notes

The description says the meal comes together in about 30 minutes. The source does not specify quantities for the olive oil, garlic, and parsley used in the finishing brush, and those additions are separate from the measured sauce ingredients.

Nutrition per serving

• dinner
• main
• Mediterranean
• beef
• weeknight
• seared
• oven-baked