Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and brown the bacon and onions. This makes them taste about ten times better.

Add the garlic and fry for 30 seconds.

Pour in the wine and let it reduce by a third—basically, let it bubble away and get all intense and yummy.

Tip everything into the slow cooker, then add the beef, cornflour, thyme, tomato purée, salt, carrots, and mushrooms.

Give it all a good stir, put the lid on, and walk away for 8 hours while your house starts to smell like a Parisian bistro.

Serve with mash, rice, crusty bread, or just a spoon and a dream.