Celtic Lamb and Barley Soup

• 3 lamb shanks
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 leeks, shredded and washed
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 parsnips, sliced
• 2 turnips, chopped
• Heart of a small cabbage, shredded
• 2 potatoes with skins, chopped
• Ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• Heaped ½ cup barley or brown whole-grain barley

1. Cover the barley with cold water, bring to a boil, and strain. Trim the lamb of excess fat and place in a pot with 3 quarts water, the barley, carrots, celery, onions, leeks, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, skim, reduce the heat, and simmer for 2 hours.

2. Let cool overnight, and remove any fat that forms. Remove the meat and shred into small pieces. Return the meat to the broth and add the remaining vegetables.

3. Cook for another 15 minutes until the vegetables are tender, topping up with more broth as necessary. Season with pepper and serve sprinkled with chopped parsley.