Soak beans overnight before cooking

Cook beans in six cups of water by bringing to a boil. Remove and let stand for about 60 minutes. Do not discard the liquid.

In a cast iron or aluminum pot place the vegetable oil rice and stir until the rice grains get oily. This is prevents the rice grains from sticking to another. Add garlic, onion, bell pepper, cumin, bay leaf, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Add 2 cups liquid from the beans, bring to a boil and cook on slow heat for about 15-20 minutes or until liquid is almost absorbed by the rice. Lower the flame, cover the pot with aluminum foil or lid to seal in the steam.

If rice is still hard, add more bean liquid, a little at a time. Cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes or until, rice is well done. Once rice is ready, add the beans, that have been drained and stir without braking them. Sauté one chopped garlic clove with the olive oil in a small pan, for 1-2 minutes, pour over rice to garnish.

Ingredients:

1 lb dry black beans
 3 tsp. of Vegetable Oil
 4 cloves of garlic, minced
 1 bay leaf
 3 tsp. olive oil
 1 tsp.salt
 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
 1/4 oregano
 1/4 tsp. cumin
 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
 1 lb. long grain rice
 1 large onion, chopped
 Add cilantro sprig, if desired for additonal garnish.