Pita Stuffed with Meat (Arayes) Recipe

Arayes are pita bread sandwiches stuffed with minced lamb meat, tomato, onion and different spices.  Although it’s a popular market and restaurant food in the Levant region, Arayes are ideal choice for barbecue and cookouts. And also can be easily prepared in house. Baked, grilled or even toasted, it doesn’t matter as long as they are crispy outside and juicy inside. Arayes are preferably eaten fresh from the oven/grill with fresh yogurt and pickled green olives.

The word Arous (singular of Arayes) was commonly used in the region to refer to all kind of sandwiches, nowadays it precisely refers to this kind of sandwiches. Oddly enough, it means “bride”, I don’t know whats the history or the logic behind it. “Because it is as beautiful.” my brother tried to explain!

I’ve tried a few Arayes recipes before I’ve got the best one from our butcher (which I’m sharing of course). It suggests more tomato, more tomato juice and thick pita bread loaves. 
 
Ingredients

500 grams minced lamb
500 grams tomatoes, finely chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup parsley, finely chopped
1/2 cup olive oil, divided
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses (optional)
7 to 8 thick loaves pita bread

Directions:

Read more at Kitchen of Palestine (By Eman)

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Recipes related to Pita Stuffed with Meat (Arayes):

Sfiha | Spinach fatayer | Small pies (Manaeish) or Fatayer | Spinach and feta fatayer | Lamb and olives pies