Lamb Koftes with Scorched Red Onion Salad

1. Peel the red onions and slice them into wedges. Warm 1 tbsp olive oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan on high heat, till smoking hot. Add the onion wedges and fry for 3-5 mins on each side, till they’re a little charred at the edges. Lift the onions out into a bowl, let them cool slightly, then separate the wedges into petals. Drizzle over 1 tbsp pomegranate vinegar and juice in the lemon. Season with a good pinch of salt and pepper and stir to mix. Set aside for 10 mins.

2. Meanwhile, quarter the cherry tomatoes. Slice the gherkins into small chunks. Peel and grate the garlic. Finely chop the parsley leaves and stalks.

3. Give the pan used to cook the onions a quick wipe clean and pour in another 1 tbsp olive oil. Warm to a medium-high heat and add the lamb koftes with a pinch of salt and pepper. Fry the koftes for 8-10 mins, turning every 2 mins, till golden all over and cooked through. Pop the cooked koftes onto a plate and set aside to rest for 2 mins.

4. Add the tomatoes, gherkins, parsley and garlic to the bowl with the onions. Pour in 1 tbsp olive oil and stir to mix. Divide the salad between a couple of plates and serve with the lamb koftes. Flatbreads, warm bulgar wheat and a cool dish of yogurt are also delicious served on the side.

5. On The Grill
If you don't want to fry the koftes, you can grill them under a preheated grill for 12-15 mins, turning often, till browned and cooked through. They're also good cooked on the barbecue.