New Recipe: Masala Spiced Arayas
A favourite of middle eastern street food, these stuffed pita breads are the perfect way to create a flavourful meal out of some simple store bought burgers. An alternative to the recipe found in our new easy vegan cookbook, we’ve created this version inspired by Indian cuisine, similar in flavour to keema. We recommend serving with raita and salad.
Serves two as a main, or four as part of a spread
Ingredients:
- 2 pita breads (cut in half)
- 2 ‘beef’ style vegan burger patties or seasoned vegan mince (230g)
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp toasted cumin seeds
- 1 tsp garam masala
- ¼ tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
- ½ (50 g) red onion – finely diced
- 3 cloves (12g) garlic, grated
- 1 small green birds eye chilli, diced (if you don’t like heat then use a milder chilli or remove)
- ½ small bunch (15g) coriander – finely chopped
- 4 stalks mint - picked and chopped
- ½ small (30g) red or green pepper – very finely diced
- 1 tbsp hot Indian pickle (we used green chilli. If using a chunky pickle then chop up a bit)
- pinch crystallised finishing Sea salt
- light oil for frying
To serve: raita, hot pickle, lemon wedges, chopped salad or kachumber
Method:
• Break up the hamburger patties or mince in a bowl. Temper the spices by heating the oil in a pan and adding the cumin until they start to pop, then take off the heat and add the garam masala and the Kashmiri chilli. Add this to the hamburger mix.
• Add the diced onion, pepper, chilli, chopped herbs, grated garlic and hot pickle (basically everything except the pita) to the hamburger mix.
• Split the mix into 4 balls
• Open up the pita halves (if they are very stiff try microwaving for 10 seconds to soften). Press the mix into the pita breads, flatten and smooth over the edge. Rub the pitas all over with a little oil.
• Lightly oil the stuffed pita halves. Heat a grill pan with a little oil to an even heat and grill for 5 minutes on either side and then place upright on the meat side and grill for another 5 minutes.
• Serve immediately with cool raita and fresh chopped salad or kachumber
Enjoy!