basic black beans

• one pound black beans
• ½ tsp. cumin seeds
• two bay leaves
• salt and pepper (to taste)

rinse beans and soak overnight in water (six to eight cups). after soaking, bring beans to boil, remove any floating beans, and add spices. turn heat down and simmer until beans are tender (anywhere from one to two hours), adding water as necessary to keep beans submerged. remove bay leaves when finished.

makes six cups. (and they freeze very well. just measure beans and liquid into plastic bags, let cool to room temperature, and freeze.)