Gower Oyster Soup (Swp Wystrys Bro Gwyr)

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. mutton
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 oz pearl barley
• pinch of mace
• l medium-sized onion
• 1 1/2 oz flour
• l medium-sized carrot
• 4 dozen bearded oysters
• 1 medium-sized turnip
• 2 oz butter

Method:

1. Wash the meat and cut off excess fat.
2. Place in a saucepan and add 3 pints of water.
3. Bring to boil and skim off any fat on the surface of the liquor
4. Wash the barley, peel and dice the onion' carrot and turnip; add the barley and vegetables to the pan
5. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Cover and simmer for 2 1/2-3 hours.
7. Melt the butter in a pan and rub it into the flour using a wooden spoon.
8. Poor the mutton broth on to this, stirring all the time.
9. Simmer for 10 minutes.
10. Serve with the oysters, opened and on the bottom shell.