Beef Burgundy - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 slices bacon, diced
1 lb boneless beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
12 ounces mushrooms, halved
1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
1 1/2 cups dry red wine, such as cabernet sauvignon
10 ounces small white pearl onions, peeled (about 24)
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme or 1 sprig fresh thyme
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup water

Preparation

Cook bacon in a heavy 4 qrt Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat until crisp.
Transfer bacon with slotted spoon to a medium bowl; set aside.
Brown meat with garlic, transferring it to a plate.
Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper.
Add mushrooms to drippings in pan; cook 3- 4 minutes or until mushrooms are browned, stirring frequently.
Transfer mushrooms to bowl with bacon.
Set aside.
Return meat with any juices to pan; add onions, broth, wine, and thyme.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low.
Cover; simmer 1 hour.
Combine flour and water, mixing until smooth.
Stir into meat mixture.
Stir in reserved mushroom mixture.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat.
Simmer, uncovered, 34- 40 minutes or until meat is tender and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
Remove thyme sprig if fresh thyme was used.
Serve over noodles, rice or potatoes, if desired.