Maple Beef Casserole with Winter Root Vegetables - Maple from Canada

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 850 - 1 kg lean braising steak, cut into chunks
• 6 bacon rashers, chopped
• 2 onions, peeled and diced
• 4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 small swede, peeled and cut into chunks
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup (preferably amber syrup for its rich taste)
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 20g fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups beef stock
• 3/4 cup red wine
• 1 tsp cornflour
• 2 tsp water