
Prepare the zirvak (the vegetable and meat base for pilaf). Pour vegetable oil into a cauldron or a frying pan with a thick bottom. Add the meat and fry until golden brown. Add the onion. When it turns golden, pour the carrots into the cauldron. Continue to stew the zirvak for another 3-5 minutes until the carrots soften. Add the cumin and tomato paste. Mix everything well and cook for 2 minutes. Then add paprika, barberry, hot pepper and garlic to the cauldron.

Make pilaf. Add pre-fried pearl barley to the prepared zirvak. Pour boiling water over everything so that the liquid covers the pilaf by 2 cm. After boiling, add salt, cover with a lid and leave to simmer for 40 minutes over medium heat.