Ragu of Tuna and Thyme

• 2 pounds fresh tuna
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
• 2 medium onions, peeled and chopped fine (about 2 cups)
• 1 tablespoon coarse salt
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme, tied together with kitchen twine
• 1 quart water
• 6 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 4-by-3-inch pieces (about 2 pounds)
• 4 large green bell peppers, roasted and sliced (see note)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

1. Remove and discard the skin from the tuna, and cut the meat into 16 chunks, each about 4 inches by 3 inches.
2. Dredge the chunks in the flour, shaking off the excess.
3. In a saucepan or earthenware casserole, heat the olive oil.
4. Quickly brown the fish on all sides.
5. With a slotted spoon, remove the chunks to a plate and set aside.
6. Add the garlic, hot peppers, onions, salt and thyme to the oil, and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are lightly golden.
7. Add water, bring to a boil, and add the potato pieces.
8. Lower the heat, and simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are barely tender.
9. Add the roasted peppers and the tuna, and cook 10 minutes more.
10. Remove from the heat, discard the thyme sprigs and adjust the seasonings.
11. Garnish with the thyme leaves, and serve right from the casserole.

tuna, allpurpose, olive oil, garlic, peppers, onions, coarse salt, thyme, water, potatoes, green bell peppers, thyme

Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/876 (may not work)