Arayes are crispy, grilled pita bread sandwiches that are stuffed with seasoned minced meat. The meat can be beef or lamb. The pita can be baked, grilled or toasted. The main thing is that it’s crispy outside and juicy inside. The word arayes is the plural of arusa, which in Arabic means “bride.” Some ascribe the connection to the marriage of the pita and meat, or to the meat that is wrapped in the pita the way a bride is wrapped in her wedding dress, or just to the fact that this sandwich is beautiful, like a bride on her wedding day.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground Lamb or Beef
- 1 small onion, minced
- 1/3 bunch parsley, chopped
- 1/3 bunch cilantro, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon Pereg Cumin
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 8 large pitas halved
- Tahini for serving
Method:
- Combine meat with onion, herbs, garlic and seasonings.
- Stuff the meat mixture into the halved pitas, spreading evenly.
- Place, exposed side down, on a hot grill.
- After about five minutes, turn to the flat side and cook five minutes more then turn to the other flat side and cook a final five minutes. Check if the pitas require more cooking.
- Remove from the grill and enjoy with lots of tahini!
Malcolm Green comes from three generations of caterers and has spent his life running kosher hotels, catering companies, destination weddings, and more than 70 glatt-kosher cruises around the world. Having absorbed global cuisines throughout his travels, he brings that experience into every menu he creates. Today, he oversees our kosher menu planning and food logistics, with all meals freshly prepared in our onboard kosher kitchens.
