Kasim Hardaway

Contact Me

Kitchen Essentials

welcome to my corner of the internet: your new go-to for recipes reimagined & global flavors

Arayes Mexicanos — a beefy fusion of Lebanese & Mexican flavors. If you’re unfamiliar with arayes, simply put, they are beef-stuffed pita pockets. They are typically seasoned with ingredients traditional to the region & grilled until browned.

This rendition incorporates Mexican flavors but the most prominent comes from chorizo. Authentic chorizo is made with pork & packed full of flavor thanks to Spanish smoked paprika, garlic, vinegar as well as a medley of chile peppers. My recipe uses beef chorizo but feel free to stick with pork chorizo if you would like.

Alongside chorizo in this recipe, you’ll find jalapeno, onion, garlic & cilantro. 

Once you knock out the prep, which can be done in advance, this recipe is very quick & hassle-free –– pair with queso or salsa for the perfect for weeknight dinner or quick yet satisfying lunch.  


Arayes Mexicanos

olive oil, divided (see note in directions)

Add the onion, jalapeno, ground beef, cilantro, garlic, chorizo, spices & 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a bowl. Note — to give the pitas a pop of color, I used Brightland’s chili-infused olive oil ‘Ardor.’ It also gave the arayes a bit of heat. Allow the mixture to marinate in the refrigerator for 3 hours, up to overnight.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Prior to cooking, remove meat-mixture from the refrigerator — set it on the counter for 20-30 minutes allowing it to come to room temperature.

Cut the pitas in half & open to form pockets. Stuff with meat mixture, ensuring pita is not overly full. Slice into quarters. Brush the exterior (including exposed sides) of pitas & a grill pan with the remaining oil.

Over medium high heat, sear pitas for 2-3 minutes on each side, including the sides with the meat exposed, until crisp. Place arayes directly on a baking sheet (no parchment) & bake for 20 minutes or until desired doneness. For a crispy exterior, broil for 1-2 minutes.

Serve hot! Pair with your favorite salsa or queso for the ultimate indulgence.

kasimjhardaway