Make Ahead Beef Bourguignon

Name: Make Ahead Beef Bourguignon
Ingredients: 4 slices thick-cut applewood bacon; 4 pounds. boneless beef stew meat trimmed of excess fat; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 large onion finely chopped; 4 medium cloves garlic minced; 2 cups burgundy or other good quality dry red wine*; ¼ cup flour; ¼ cup tomato paste; 3 cups beef broth; 2 bay leaves; 1 4- inch sprig rosemary; 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves; 1 pound carrots; 1 pound. fresh mushrooms sliced in half - I like crimini (baby portobello) mushrooms; 1 12- ounce bag frozen pearl onions; 1 10- ounce bag tiny frozen peas; fresh thyme sprigs