Ingredients: ½ celeriac, peeled and cubed,250 ml dry white wine,½ teaspoon ground cumin,350g ground lamb or beef,10g marjoram,5 tablespoons olive oil,3 parsnips, peeled and cubed,125g pearl barley soaked and cooked according to packet instructions. Keep warm,2 potatoes, peeled and cubed,½ pumpkin, peeled and cubed,Salt and pepper to taste,½ teaspoon smoked paprika,1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed,Thyme,Several sprigs thyme,1.5 l vegetable broth – homemade is always best,1 large yellow onion, chopped
Instructions: Preheat oven to 200 degrees C. Lightly oil a baking tray. In a large bowl toss all the vegetables except the onion, with about 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add a few sprigs of thyme and marjoram, then scatter on the tray. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the vegetables are slightly soft and caramelized.,Set about ¼ of the cubed vegetables aside and keep warm. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy pot over a medium heat and sauté the onions until fragrant and translucent. Add the remaining ¾ of the vegetables to the pot making sure they do not stick to the bottom of the pot. Pour in the wine, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the wine has reduced, then pour the stock. Bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and using a hand-held blender purée the vegetables and stock until the mixture is thick, creamy and smooth. Adjust seasoning accordingly.,Divide the thick soup into bowls, adding a few spoonfuls of pearl barley and the cubed vegetables to the top. Garnish with remaining herbs and serve.,Optional: small spiced lamb or beef meatballs will make this a great non-vegetarian option.,Mix all the ingredients in a clean bowl. Pick off small amounts from the meat and roll small, bite-sized balls. Heat the olive oil in a frying and brown the meatballs in portions until cooked through. They should be crispy on the outside and still soft and moist on the inside.