Lebanese Lamb-Stuffed Pitta (العرايس)

This popular Arabic snack features seasoned kofte meat stuffed into pitta before it meets the grill.

‘Arayes’ is a popular Arabic snack throughout the Levantine countries, from Lebanon to Jordan, Syria to Palestine. The name ‘arayes’ means ‘wives’ in Arabic, owing to the delicious marriage of seasoned meat and oil-toasted pita. The kofte mixture is quite simple with just a handful of basic spices to season the meat - lamb or beef. The mixture is then tucked into a pita pocket, spread right into the corners before it’s oiled and ready to kiss the grill, or a hot frying pan. I’m making the Lebanese style here, which I find generally has a smaller amount of filling, making it both easier and faster to cook. I highly recommend using good quality pita from an Arabic or Turkish supermarket/bakery, but I’ll show you how to make this with a standard pita bread from a supermarket just in case. This makes a brilliant snack than can be made for one with just a snatch of minced meat, or can be turned into an Arabic family spread with garlic ‘toum’ sauce, salad and hummus. A wonderful and irresistible Arabic bite, whatever the scale. Let’s go!