Arayes with Lamb and Herb Filling Recipe
Arayes are delicious Middle Eastern pita sandwiches stuffed with a spiced ground lamb mixture, seared to a golden brown and finished in the oven. This recipe combines fresh herbs and warm spices for a flavorful meat filling, perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner served with tahini and hot sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 29 minutes
- Yield: 8 pieces 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- ½ cup packed flat-leaf parsley
- ½ cup packed cilantro
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon coriander
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt, as needed
- Freshly ground black pepper, as needed
Other Ingredients
- 4 pitas
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Tahini, for serving
- Hot sauce, as needed for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: Add the chopped onion, smashed garlic, parsley, and cilantro to a food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Pulse the mixture until finely minced.
- Combine Lamb and Herbs: In a large bowl, use your hands to thoroughly combine the ground lamb with the minced onion and herb mixture. Add paprika, coriander, cumin, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Mix well. Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours to let the flavors meld.
- Preheat the Oven and Prep Pitas: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Cut each pita bread in half widthwise, resulting in 8 pieces total. Divide the lamb mixture into 4 equal portions and spread each evenly on one side of the pita halves. Close the pita halves and cut each again in half, maintaining 8 stuffed pieces.
- Sear the Arayes: Heat a large oven-safe skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium heat. Pour in the olive oil and heat until shimmering. Place the arayes in the pan with the meat side down and sear for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. Flip and sear the meat side of the other side for another 3 minutes.
- Finish Cooking in the Oven: After searing, arrange the pitas flat in the skillet or transfer to a baking sheet if needed. Place the skillet or baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 8 minutes, or until the lamb is cooked through and the pita is crispy.
- Serve: Spoon tahini into small serving bowls and serve alongside the arayes with hot sauce on the side for extra heat as desired.
Notes
- Ensure the lamb mixture is well seasoned and mixed to keep the filling flavorful and moist.
- Refrigerating the meat mixture allows the flavors to develop better, but you can cook immediately if short on time.
- Use a cast iron skillet for the best sear and even oven finish.
- Serve the arayes hot for the best texture and taste.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount for milder or spicier arayes.
Keywords: Arayes, Middle Eastern Lamb Pita, Lamb Sandwich, Spiced Lamb, Tahini, Mediterranean Recipe
