Arayes Lamb and Cheese
Transform your weeknight dinners with the irresistible flavors of Arayes Lamb and Cheese—a Middle Eastern-inspired delight that's equal parts crispy, juicy, and cheesy. This recipe combines seasoned ground lamb with finely chopped onion, fresh parsley, and aromatic spices like cumin and cinnamon, all folded together with gooey mozzarella cheese. Stuffed into pita bread pockets, brushed with olive oil, and baked or grilled to golden perfection, these handheld treasures boast a crisp exterior and a savory, melty filling. Ready in just 35 minutes, Arayes are perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a hearty main dish. Serve alongside tahini or yogurt sauce for dipping, and watch these delectable bites disappear!
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Ingredients
- 500 g Ground lamb
- 4 large pieces Pita bread
- 1 medium, finely chopped Onion
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 30 g, finely chopped Fresh parsley
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 100 g, shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
Directions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F) or preheat a grill over medium-high heat.
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
Step 3
Fold the shredded mozzarella cheese into the lamb mixture until evenly distributed.
Step 4
Cut each large pita bread in half to create two semicircles.
Step 5
Carefully open each pita half to form a pocket.
Step 6
Stuff each pocket with an even amount of the lamb and cheese mixture, pressing down lightly to ensure the filling doesn't fall out.
Step 7
Brush both sides of each filled pita with olive oil.
Step 8
Place the stuffed pitas on a baking sheet if using the oven, or directly on the grill grates.
Step 9
Bake or grill the arayes for about 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the pita is crispy and the lamb is cooked through.
Step 10
Remove from heat, cut into smaller wedges if desired, and serve hot with your choice of sides or dips like tahini or yogurt sauce.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | 1052.8 grams (1052.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2652 |
| Total Fat 151.00g | 194% |
| Saturated Fat 57.00g | 285% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 12.80g | |
| Cholesterol 545mg | 182% |
| Sodium 5988mg | 260% |
| Total Carbohydrate 153.40g | 56% |
| Dietary Fiber 18.30g | 65% |
| Total Sugars 15.90g | |
| Protein 173.00g | 346% |
| Vitamin D 36IU | 180% |
| Calcium 963mg | 74% |
| Iron 20mg | 112% |
| Potassium 2767mg | 59% |
Source of Calories