Description
Arayes kafta brings Middle Eastern street charm to your table with grilled pita pockets stuffed with spiced ground meat. Lebanese culinary tradition meets simple grilling magic, creating crispy, flavorful bites you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
Herbs and Aromatics:
- 1 medium white onion, roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup fresh parsley or cilantro
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste or pomegranate molasses
- 4 pita breads
- ½ cup shredded cheese of choice, optional (for a vegan option, use a plant-based cheese)
- Olive oil for brushing
- Shawarma sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Pulverize onion, garlic, and parsley in a compact food processor until finely transformed into a fragrant aromatic blend.
- Transfer the minced herb mixture into a spacious mixing vessel, incorporating ground beef, tomato paste, and aromatic spices. Massage and knead the ingredients thoroughly to ensure harmonious flavor integration.
- Carefully partition pita breads into manageable segments, creating delicate pockets with gentle manipulation.
- Generously layer the seasoned meat mixture into each pita pocket, pressing firmly to create an even, compact filling approximately one finger’s width thick.
- Optional: Scatter shredded cheese atop the meat for a luxurious, molten dimension.
- For stovetop preparation, activate a ridged grill pan at medium-high temperature. Delicately brush pitas with olive oil, ensuring complete surface coverage.
- Sear pitas for approximately three minutes per side, cultivating a golden, crisp exterior with tantalizing grill marks.
- Alternatively, heat oven to 400°F. Arrange pitas on a parchment-lined baking sheet, transforming them in the radiant heat for 12-15 minutes until perfectly crisped.
- For air frying enthusiasts, maintain 400°F and rotate midway through cooking to guarantee uniform browning.
- Present the aromatic Arayes Kafta immediately, accompanied by zesty shawarma sauce, vibrant red onion slivers, and bright lemon wedges to elevate the culinary experience.
Notes
- Discover a Middle Eastern street food favorite that transforms simple ingredients into a crispy, flavor-packed delight.
- Mixing spices and ground beef creates a robust filling that promises an explosion of taste in every bite.
- Versatile cooking methods mean you can grill, bake, or air fry, making this recipe adaptable to your kitchen setup and preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg