Barley Soup

When we sat down at the Jalai Restaurant in Tabriz for a lunch of chelow kabab (the classic Iranian fluffy, saffroned white rice with fillet kababs), the waiter appeared carrying a large tray with bowls full of warm, light, and delicious barley soup. No one had requested it, but it was a perfect starter after a long day. I prefer to make the soup with water instead of broth because the soup is then much lighter, which is better, especially if you a