5 strips lean bacon, finely chopped 6 cloves garlic, minced 2 medium onions, finely chopped 1 medium carrot, finely chopped 2 pounds very lean ground beef sirloin 2 large eggs ½ cup milk 1 cup finely ground fresh bread crumbs ¼ cup Dijon mustard ¼ cup barbecue sauce 1 tablespoon bottled horseradish, well drained ½ cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 2 tablespoons coarse salt 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh thyme (or ¼ teaspoon dried thyme) 2 to 3 cups croutons 10 whole, unpeeled, garlic cloves 4 bay leaves 1 sprig fresh thyme

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