Lamb koftas

Serves 4–6

Ingredients:

1 red onion, peeled and quartered

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 fresh red chile seeded and chopped

1 tsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves

1 tsp finely chopped cilantro leaves

1 tsp finely chopped mint leaves

1 tsp mild paprika

finely grated zest of 1 lemon

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 ½lb (675g) lean ground lamb

Method:

1 Put the onion, garlic, chile, parsley, cilantro, mint, paprika, and lemon zest in a blender or food processor. Season with sea salt and black pepper, and blend to a paste. Add the ground lamb, and pulse until a coarse paste forms. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, and chill for 1 hour or until firm, if time permits.

2 Shape the mixture into 12 sausages, and carefully push each long sausage of meat onto a stainlesssteel skewer to form the koftas. Return to the refrigerator until firm.

3 Meanwhile, heat the barbecue until hot. Put the skewers on the barbecue, and grill over medium heat for 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and cooked through.

4 Serve hot with a crispy salad and hummus, if desired.

Lamb koftas