Party beef bourguignon

Description:
Large party classic that simple enough to prepare and the oven does most of the work. Main ingredients:Dairy, Flour, Pork, Vegetables, Oil, Stock/Broth, Herbs

Ingredients:
2.3kg stewing beef
6 bay leaves
Large bunch thyme
1.5ltr beef stock
4 tbsp olive oil
6 large carrots, cut into large chunks
4 onions, roughly chopped
6 tbsp plain flour
2 tbsp tomato purée
To serve
Large knob butter
600g bacon lardons
1kg small onions, peeled and chopped roughly
800g mushrooms, halved
Chopped parsley, garnish
Peppercorns, garnish (optional)

Method:
Tip the beef into a large bowl with the bay leaves, thyme, stock and a generous pinch of pepper, then cover and leave in the fridge overnight.
Preheat the oven to 140°C / 275°F / Gas mark 1.
Place a colander over another large bowl and strain the marinated meat, reserving the stock.
Heat half of the oil in a large frying pan then brown the meat in batches, transferring to a plate once browned.
When all the meat is browned, pour a little stock into the empty frying pan and bubble to release any caramelised bits from the pan.
Heat the rest of the oil in a large casserole dish and fry the carrots and chopped onions until they start to colour.
Stir in the flour for 2 minutes, then add the tomato purée.
Add the beef and any juices, the stock from the frying pan and the rest of the stock and herbs.
Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer.
Stir well to combine then cover either with a lid or kitchen foil.
Transfer to the oven and cook for 6 hours until the meat is really tender.
Allow to cool.
To serve, heat the butter in a frying pan then add the bacon and onions.
Sizzle for about 10 minutes until the bacon starts to crisp and the onions soften and colour.
Add the mushrooms and fry for another 10 minutes, then stir everything together and heat for 20 minutes more.
Serve scattered with chopped parsley and the peppercorns if using.

Serves: 12
Preparation Time: 70 minutes
Cooking Time: 420 minutes
Recipe Type: Entertaining, Batch Cooking
Level of Difficulty: Moderately Easy