Welsh lamb in hay with tabbouleh salad

Tender lamb chops are home-smoked and served with a bulgur wheat salad packed with fruits, nuts and herbs.

Ingredients

• few handfuls of hay
• 50ml/2fl oz vegetable oil
• 4 sprigs rosemary
• 1 garlic bulb, cut in half horizontally
• 2 racks of lamb, cut into chops (to make 14-16 chops)
• salt and black pepper
• knob of butter

For the bulgur wheat salad

• 250g/9oz bulgur wheat, soaked in cold water for 3-4 hours
• 1-2 tbsp harissa paste
• 100g/3½oz shelled almonds
• 4 apricots, stone removed and chopped
• 100g/3½oz shelled pistachios
• 1 large bunch fresh mint, chopped
• 1 large bunch fresh flatleaf parsley, chopped
• 1 pomegranate, seeds removed
• 1 lemon, juice only
• salt and black pepper
• 50ml/2fl oz olive oil

Preparation method

1. Place a large pan over a medium heat and put the hay in the bottom. Add the vegetable oil, rosemary and garlic. Top with the lamb chops and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Seal the pan tightly with aluminium foil and a lid (to prevent the smoke from escaping). Cook for 10-15 minutes, turning the lamb half way through. When cooked, add the butter to glaze the chops.

2. For the salad, drain the bulgur wheat then just cover in boiling water and set aside for 10 minutes until all the liquid has been absorbed. Add the harissa paste and stir well. Stir through all the remaining ingredients and serve with the lamb chops.