2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 onions, thinly sliced
3–4 fresh thyme sprigs
400g tin butter beans or mixed beans, drained and rinsed
300ml/10fl oz chicken stock
400g tin chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper
½–1 tsp hot chilli powder or smoked paprika
1 tsp dried mixed herbs
1 tbsp dark muscovado sugar
1–2 tbsp sunflower oil
2 tbsp tomato purΓ©e
6 rashers rindless streaky bacon, cut into 2.5cm/1in lengths
12 good-quality pork sausages
100ml/3Β½fl oz red or white wine (optional)