Step 1

Heat the cooking oil/butter in a large saucepan over a low heat, and sauté the sliced onions and crushed garlic for 5-7 minutes, adding the salt, pepper, paprika, chilli flakes and rosemary. Meanwhile, peel potatoes and chop into approximately 1.5 inch cubes.

Step 2

Add the bacon lardons or chopped rashers and sauté for 2 minutes, then add the gravy granules and tomato puree with the heat turned up to medium. Stir continuously until the gravy granules and tomato puree form a thick paste.

Step 3

Add all of the cubed potatoes to the mixture and immediately add 1 pint boiling water, or enough to cover the potatoes. Stir well and simmer on a medium heat for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, peel and slice the carrots approximately 1cm thick.

Step 4

Add the carrots, turn heat back to high and partially cover until the stew is boiling.

Step 5

Once the stew has boiled for around 1 minute, turn heat down to low-medium and simmer for 15 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are soft (test with a sharp knife) If the gravy is too thick/runny, add more water/granules accordingly.

Step 6

Ladle into bowls and serve alone or with bread and butter.