Heat up oil in a deep soup pot. Add the onion and carrots and sauté for three to five minutes.

Add the diced tomato, mix for a minute and add all the rest of the spices. Mix for 30 seconds and add the barley.

Add lots of water and cook for an hour. Now add the tomato paste and mix until completely melted. Adjust salt and pepper and cook until barley is soft and the texture is nice and rich. (Feel free to add water as needed. Barley drinks water fast!)