Beef Bourguignon – Simmer + Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds chuck beef cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 slices thick slab of Sunday bacon
• 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 bottle of red wine such as Pinot Noir
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 10 cipollini onions, peeled and cut in half
• 1/3 cup water
• Pinch of sugar
• 8 ounces of cremini mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed, and cut in half
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely minced