Cheat Arayes

Arayes are a popular middle eastern stuffed pita. The filling is normally beef and lamb with warm aromatic spices, such as cumin, paprika, coriander and cinnamon, along with onions and garlic. Stuffed into a pita and then seared or baked in the oven until the pita is crispy and the center is cooked through. This version is a little easier and quicker to make. It almost feels like a gyro or a taco. It’s topped with a tomato cucumber salad, tzatziki and chimichurri. Can’t wait for you to try this one!!

Ingredients

• 4-5 pita bread
• 3 tbsp. olive oil

Ground beef

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2-3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1/4 cup red onion, minced
• 1 tbsp. ground corriander
• 2 tsp. cumin
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley
• salt and black pepper to taste

Chimichurri

• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 2 tbsp. shallot, minced
• 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1/2 lime juiced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• salt and black pepper

Add everything to a bowl and mix to combine.

Tzatziki

• 1/2 cup cucumber, grated
• 3/4 cup greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. cumin
• salt and black pepper

Add the cucumber and yogurt into a small bowl along with the lemon, cumin and mix until combined. Season with salt and black pepper.

Tomato Cucumber Salad

• 1 cup tomato, mediumn diced
• 1 cup English cucumber, medium dice
• 1 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp. basil, minced
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• salt and black pepper

Add everything to a small bowl and mix it together.

Directions

In a large bowl add the beef along with the spices, onion, garlic and parsley. Using clean hands mix it all together until well combined.

Lay the pitas onto a baking pan and spread about 1/3 of the mixture all over the top so it reaches the edges, into an even layer.

Heat up the pan with a little olive oil to medium heat, sear the meat side down for about 3-4 minutes. Just until it turns golden. Turn it over and cook for another 2 minutes until the pita is crispy.

Remove from the pan and top with the tomato cucumber salad, tzatziki, and chimichurri. Fold up like a gyro and enjoy!