Arayes (Meat-Stuffed Pita) with Garlic Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 lb ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat)
• salt (To taste, for the meat mixture)
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika powder
• 1 tsp black pepper powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder (For the meat mixture)
• 1 tsp allspice
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 0.5 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses (Optional)
• 1 fresh red or green chili (Use 1–2 chilies; diced)
• 1 large onion (Grated and squeezed to remove excess water)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (Finely chopped; for the meat mixture)
• 3 cloves fresh garlic (Use 3–4 cloves; grated)
• 10 small pita (Cut into halves)
• oil (For cooking; use a thin layer in the skillet)
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise (For the garlic sauce)
• 2 tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt (For the garlic sauce)
• 1 clove fresh garlic (Use 1–2 cloves; grated, for the sauce)
• salt (To taste, for the sauce)
• black pepper (To taste, for the sauce)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (For the sauce)
• 0.5 lemon lemon juice (Juice of 1/2 lemon)
• 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley (Finely chopped, for the sauce)

Steps

1. 1

   In a large bowl, add the ground beef. Season it with salt, smoked paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, allspice, cumin, and coriander.

2. 2

   Add the pomegranate molasses, diced chili, squeezed grated onion, and finely chopped parsley. Mix until the meat mixture is well combined.

3. 3

   Open each pita half carefully to create a pocket.

4. 4

   Spread a thin, even layer of the meat mixture inside each pita pocket. Press gently so the filling sticks to the bread.

5. 5

   Heat a skillet over medium heat with a thin layer of oil.

6. 6

   Place the stuffed pitas in the skillet meat-side down first. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing lightly with a spatula for even browning, until deeply golden and crispy.

7. 7

   Transfer the browned arayes to a lined baking sheet.

8. 8

   Preheat the oven to 350°F.

9. 9

   Bake the arayes for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

10. 10

    Alternatively, air-fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

11. 11

    For the garlic sauce, add the mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, grated garlic, salt, pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped parsley to a bowl.

12. 12

    Whisk the sauce ingredients until smooth. Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

The source gives oven and air-fryer options; use one finishing method, not both. The amount of cooking oil is unspecified. The source does not state a precise amount of meat to place in each pita pocket.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• appetizer
• Middle Eastern
• stuffed pita
• ground beef
• oven-baked
• air-fried
• crispy