1 carrot, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 onion, finely chopped
4 thyme sprigs, plus extra leaves to scatter
1 tbsp plain flour
3 bay leaves
400ml/14fl oz beef stock
sea salt and black pepper
2 tbsp sunflower oil
1 free-range egg, beaten
375g/13oz ready-rolled puff pastry
8 fresh oysters, shucked (optional)
600g/1lb 5oz beef shin
500ml/17fl oz porter beer
1 marrow bone, 6–8cm/2½–3in long (optional)