RupayHalwa

ARAYES - its a lebanese starter, consisting of the flat arabic bread (like pitta bread or khobs) stuffed with minced lamb / cheese. It is definitely better to use the cheese.


6 PITTA BREADS

STUFFING

HALF KILO OF MINCED FRESH LAMB
HALF AN ONION CHOPPED
1 CUP CHOPPED FLAT LEAF PARSLEY
2 CLOVES GARLIC, CRUSHED
2 GREEN CHILLIES CHOPPED
HALF TEASPOON GROUND CUMIN
TEASPOON CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER
1 TEASPOON OF SALT (OR TO YOUR TASTE)
A LITTLE BIT OF FRESH GREEN CORIANDER
JUICE OF HALF LEMON
1 INCH CUBE OF BUTTER

Optional - 1 CUP GRATED MILD (NOT MATURE) HARD CHEESE, LIKE CHEDDAR

SOME BUTTER FOR SPREADING ON TOP


Heat oven to 220 degrees C
Put all the stuffing ingredients (except cheese) in a blender and blitz until a smooth paste is made.

Heat pittas up, enough so that they puff up slightly.

Cut eat pitta in half and open to form pockets.

Stuff each pocket with a tablespoon of the lamb paste and spread out.

If using cheese, sprinkle cheese in a layer on top of the filling.

Squash the pitta pockets so they are closed flat.

Spread thinly with butter and oven bake for approx 10 - 15 minutes.

When they are cooked within and golden on the outside, they are ready to eat. Eat fresh out of the oven.