BASIC TUNA CHOWDER

Steps:

• Start by boiling about 8 pints or 4 liters of Water in a pot.
• Peel the Potatoes, the Carrot, and the Onion.
• Throw away the peelings.
• Cut the Onion in half, saving the other half for anything else.
• Slice the Carrot in centimeter strips, then cut each strip in half.
• Cut each Potato into eigths, then cut each strip in half.
• Dice the Onion VERY fine.
• I do this by hand, but a food processor works.
• Add all of the sliced and diced materials to the boiling water.
• After about 3 minutes, reduce heat to medium.
• Add the Salt, Pepper, Corn Oil, Butter, and Rum.
• Stir for a minute.
• Add the three cans of Starkist Tuna, juice and all.
• Add the Flour and stir until it blends.
• Allow mixture to boil for another 10 minutes, stirring once a minute or so.
• Reduce heat to low.
• Add any additional salt or pepper to taste.
• Garlic powder at this stage is not unheard of.
• Stir well after adding any more dry goods.
• The onions should have dissolved into the stew at this point, and only the most hardy chunks of potato will have survived the process.
• Allow stew to reach desired thickness.
• This may take some time.
• Stir on low heat once in a while.
• Remember, potato based stews WILL thicken somewhat after cooling.
• When desired thickness is reached, remove from heat.
• Serve with flat bread, wheat bread, in a bread bowl, as a side dish, or over a chowder-friendly base.
• Crackers optional.