Mary's Beef Bourguignon

Ingredients

• 5 slices bacon, chopped
• 3 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 tablespoons plus ¼ cup flour
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 (750 milliliter) bottle dry red wine like Pinot Noir or Chianti
• 4 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 6 carrots, peeled and cut into slices
• 2 medium onions, peeled and quartered
• 1 pound small new potatoes
• 2 large bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 6 ounces fresh mushrooms (I use crimini), sliced
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ¼ cup finely chopped Italian parsley