High Protein Arayes

Bring the flavors of the Middle East to your table with these High Protein Arayes, a modern twist on a classic dish. This recipe blends lean ground beef with nutrient-rich cooked lentils, creating a filling that’s both flavorful and packed with protein, perfect for a balanced meal. Infused with aromatic spices like cumin and paprika, and freshened with parsley, the mixture is tucked into whole wheat pita pockets, then pan-fried to crispy perfection in olive oil. Ready in just 40 minutes, these golden-brown pockets are wonderfully crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. Perfect as a wholesome appetizer, snack, or main dish, serve these arayes with creamy tahini sauce for an irresistible dip. Whether you're meal-prepping or hosting a gathering, this recipe is a healthy crowd-pleaser that celebrates bold, hearty flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Lean ground beef
• 1 cup Cooked lentils
• 1 Small onion, finely chopped
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 cup Parsley, chopped
• 2 teaspoons Cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 4 Whole wheat pita breads
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 0 Tahini sauce for serving (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine lean ground beef, cooked lentils, onion, garlic, chopped parsley, cumin powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2

Mix thoroughly using your hands or a spatula until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 3

Cut each whole wheat pita bread in half to form pockets.

Step 4

Fill each pita pocket generously with the beef and lentil mixture, pressing slightly to flatten.

Step 5

Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.

Step 6

Carefully place the filled pita pockets into the skillet in batches, ensuring they do not overlap.

Step 7

Cook each side for about 3-4 minutes until crisp and golden brown, and the meat is cooked through.

Step 8

Remove the cooked arayes from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 9

Repeat the process until all arayes are cooked.

Step 10

Serve warm with tahini sauce or your preferred dip for added flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1207.7 grams (1207.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2246

Total Fat 94.90g	122%
Saturated Fat 24.80g	124%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 310mg	103%
Sodium 4161mg	181%
Total Carbohydrate 204.00g	74%
Dietary Fiber 40.10g	143%
Total Sugars 13.30g
Protein 153.30g	307%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 490mg	38%
Iron 37mg	206%
Potassium 2661mg	57%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.4%

Protein: 26.9%

Carbs: 35.7%