Barley Soup

This is an ultra-comforting soup, and it tastes ever so naughty, although with the exception of the dash of cream it is pretty wholesome stuff. It seems to crop up as a starter in Iranian households, although it is so filling that I think it is better as a supper or lunch dish. It is most definitely winter fodder. Jamshid’s aunt Tatty-jun (‘jun’ after any name in Iran translates as ‘dear’ so-and-so) first introduced me to this dish, and as hers is still the best I have tasted, my recipe is