Instructions

  1. Heat oil or butter in a pan large enough to hold all the ingredients.
  2. Add carrots and onion. Stir well. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes.
  3. Add crushed coriander seeds, ground coriander and mace. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Add 6 cups of vegetable stock, and all other ingredients except the additional stock, and the cream and cilantro. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30-40 minutes or until carrots and barley are tender.
  5. Whiz the soup in a food processor (you'll probably need to do this in at least two batches), and return to cooking pan.
  6. Stir in the last 2-4 cups of vegetable stock (depending on how thin a soup you want) and the cream, if used.
  7. Heat through, but do not boil.
  8. Serve, garnished generously with chopped cilantro.