Name: Epic Chunky Beef and Mushroom Pie
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 165 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 20 g / 0.7 oz dried porcini mushrooms ((slices, whole or chopped) (Note 1)); 1 ¼ cups / 312 ml boiled water; 1 kg / 2 lb chuck beef (, cut into 2.5cm/1” cubes (Note 2)); 1 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 garlic cloves (, minced); 1 onion (, finely chopped); 1 celery (, finely chopped); 1 carrot (, finely chopped); 3 carrots (, halved lengthwise then cut into 1.5cm/ 3/5” chunks); 1/3 cup flour ((any)); 300 ml / 10 oz dark ale ((or substitute with red wine, Guinness or more beef stock)); 2 cups / 500 ml beef stock; 3 sprigs thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme leaves; 2 bay leaves (, fresh or dried); 200 g / 7 oz bacon (, diced); 300 - 400g / 10 – 13 oz Swiss brown mushrooms (, larger ones halved); 1 – 2 sheets puff pastry ((enough to cover pie)); 1 egg yolk