Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas 2

Cut the beef into cubes, about 3cm/1½ inches, removing any fat or gristle. Pat them dry on a kitchen towel (if they are not dry, they won't brown, and flavor will be missed).

Heat half the oil in a large casserole and brown the beef cubes very well, a few at a time.

The beef cubes must be brown on all sides; put them into a large bowl as they are done.

If the bottom of the casserole becomes dark or dry, pour in a little warm water and deglaze the pan by scraping up any sediment stuck to the bottom; pour the liquid over the browned meat.

Continue to brown all the meat, and finish with a final deglaze of the casserole, putting that liquid also with the meat.

Wipeout and reheat the casserole and sauté the prepared shallots in half the butter and a splash of oil which will prevent the butter from burning, until they are well browned.

Add the garlic and stir in the flour. Cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.

Add the wine and stock, and stir until the mixture boils, always scraping the bottom of the casserole pan.

Put the meat back into the casserole and stir it into the wine and stock mix.

Add the chopped carrots, bouquet garni, and bay leaves, and season quite generously with salt and pepper, but don't overdo the salt – the lardons will be quite salty.

Cook in the preheated oven for 2-3 hours, or until the meat is tender.

Prepare the lardons by blanching them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes; remove and pat dry.

Wipe the mushrooms, but do not peel them; cut the larger mushrooms into smaller sizes.

Melt the remaining butter in a frying pan and, when the butter starts to foam, add the lardons and the mushrooms and cook fairly briskly until delicately browned.

When the stew has been cooking for 2 hours, add the lardons and mushrooms (not before), and cook for a further 30-60 minutes.

Remove the casserole from the oven and test the meat to ensure that it is tender, and taste the sauce; season as necessary, a little at a time to avoid over-seasoning.

Mix the cornflour with a little water, and pour into the casserole over medium heat on top of the oven, stirring gently for a few minutes while the cornflour cooks out.

Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve immediately either direct to plates, with creamy mashed potatoes, or transfer to a warmed serving dish so that everyone can help themselves.

A couple of nice chunks of fresh baguette give you something to mop up the sauce with.

If the unusual happens and there is stew leftover, reserve it to make the filling of a tasty shortcrust pastry pie.

If necessary, cook some more carrots and add those to make up the bulk.