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	(1207.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2246.2

Total Fat 94.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 309.8mg	0%
Sodium 4161.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 204.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 40.1g	0%
Total Sugars 13.3g
Protein 153.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 490.4mg	0%
Iron 37.0mg	0%
Potassium 2661.1mg	0%

*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%