Servings : Serves 6-8
Arayes or Ara’yes are crispy grilled pita bread sandwiches that are stuffed with seasoned minced meat. They are very popular in the Middle East and are most commonly served as an appetiser or starter. The word Ara’yes is Arabic and translates to ‘Bride & Groom’ whereby in this case, the bride is the filling and it is enveloped in the arms of her groom, the pita bread.
Ingredients
- 500 gm fine lamb mince (you can also use beef, but lamb is moister)
- 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 1/2 tsp ginger paste
- 1 chilli, roughly chopped
- 1 small bunch coriander or parsley, roughly chopped (mix the stems and leaves)
- 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)
- 6 pitas, cut into quarters (you can use whole wheat or plain flour ones)
- Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing