300²µ/10½´Ç³ú chestnut mushrooms, wiped and halved or quartered if large
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 large onion, finely chopped
450g/1lb pearl onions, or 24 baby onions
chopped fresh parsley, to garnish
3 bushy sprigs fresh thyme
2 large bay leaves
1 beef stock cube
flaked sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 heaped tbsp cornflour
4–5 tbsp sunflower oil
2 tbsp tomato purée
25g/1oz butter
1.6kg/3lb 8oz good-quality braising steak (chuck steak)
200g/7oz smoked bacon lardons or smoked streaky bacon, cut into 2cm/¾in pieces
75cl bottle red wine