Coq au vin avec legumes

Ingredients

• 8 large skinless chicken thighs
• 8 thin slices pancetta (or lean, thinly cut streaky bacon)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 large garlic cloves (chopped)
• 1 large red onion (halved and sliced)
• 2 carrots (peeled and thickly sliced)
• 1 fennel bulb (or 3 celery stalks, thinly sliced)
• 1 turnip (peeled and cut into chunks)
• 2 - 3 tbsp water ((optional))
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 - 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 1⁄2 cups red wine
• 1 tbsp currant jelly
• 2 tbsp brandy ((optional))
• 2 cups diluted salt-reduced or homemade chicken or vegetable stock
• 8 pickling onions or shallots
• 250 g button mushrooms
• 1⁄4 cup cornstarch (blended with 1⁄2 cup water)
• 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley (chopped)