Bigos Stew (Polish Hunter’s Stew)

Place the dried mushrooms in a measuring jug and add the boiling water

Set the mushrooms aside while you prepare the meat

Pan fry the bacon in a large casserole or large saucepan, until it starts to crisp up a little

Add the diced sausages and cook, stirring often

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon and sausages to your slow cooker

Brown the pork in the same pan, adding a bit of oil so it doesn't stick, doing this in batches if needed

Transfer the browned pork to the crockpot

Add the onions to the pan (and a splash more oil if needed) and cook, stirring

Add the shredded cabbage and cook for a further 5 minutes, adding a splash of beer or stock if the pan gets too dry

Transfer the onion and cabbage mixture to the slow cooker

Add the prunes, porcini mushrooms and their liquid, the sauerkraut, tomato paste, bay leaves, seasonings, beer and beef stock to the slow cooker

Give everything in the slow cooker a quick stir

Cover and cook on the LOW setting

Discard the bay leaves and check the seasoning

Serve hot with rye bread or over mashed potatoes