Easy Beef Burgundy

4 slices bacon
1 cup onion, chopped
2 pounds round steak cut into bite-size pieces
salt and pepper
2 cups whole fresh mushrooms, or 1 cup canned
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 cup burgundy wine
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 Tablespoon dried celery flakes
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2 Tablespoons flour

In a dutch oven or heavy saucepan cook the onion and bacon until onion is soft, but not browned. With a slotted spoon, remove onion and bacon and set aside. Add the round steak to the pan drippings and cook until browned on all sides. Sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper, then add the mushrooms, garlic, wine, water, parsley, celery, thyme, and bay leaf. Return the onion and bacon to the pan and stir well, then cover and cook over low heat for 1-1/2 hours, or until meat is tender. Keep an eye on the liquid in the pan and add water and reduce heat if it seems to be boiling away quickly.

When tender, with a slotted spoon, remove meat mixture from the liquid to a serving bowl. Discard the bay leaf. In a cup, mix some of the hot liquid with the flour, then stir into the liquid remaining in the pan. Cook stirring constantly until thickened (should only take about 1 minute). Pour the thickened liquid over the meat mixture in the serving bowl, stir to mix, and serve immediately over rice. Makes four servings.