1 large carrot, roughly chopped
1 large celery stick, roughly chopped
2 large garlic cloves, bruised
1 large lemon, cut in half
2 large brown onions, 1 roughly chopped and 1 finely sliced
large bunch fresh flatleaf parsley, finely chopped
large bunch fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 chicken stock cube, crumbled
2 tbsp plain flour
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp cornflour, if needed
6 tbsp olive oil
15 black peppercorns
salt
knob of butter
1 x 1.5kg/3lb 5oz whole chicken, preferably organic and corn-fed
200g/7oz smoked bacon lardons