Place porcini in a bowl and add hot water. Leave to soak for 30 min. Strain and reserve soaking liquid. Roughly chop porcini.

Sprinkle beef with salt n pepper.

Heat oil in a large heavy based pan, add half the beef and brown all over, then remove and repeat with remaining meat. Set aside

Turn heat down to medium and if the pan looks dry add more oil. Add onion and garlic to pan and cook for 2 min. Add carrot n celery to pan n cook further 6 min.

Add flour and mix, add ale And stock and stir to dissolve flour.

Return beef to pan, add thyme and bay leaves plus mushrooms.

Bring to boil and turn down heat to simmer, cook for 1 hr 45 min, or until meat is tender.