Basic Beans

Take beans and place them in a cold water bath (i.e. cover them with water in a large pot) overnight or for at least 12 hours. Then in the morning, rinse them and place in a bowl.

Take half of the spices and all the olive oil and place the mixture in the bottom of a large 8-quart stock pot. Add the beans and fill the pot with water within an inch of the top. Then place the rest of the spices on top and bring to a boil. Stir and then cover the pot. Place on low heat (if using an electric stove this would be number 3) and let simmer for 8 hours. Remember to stir every 30 minutes so beans don’t stick and so they get thoroughly mixed with the spices.

Once done, remove from heat and let the beans cool for about an hour. Then ladle beans into storage containers and freeze those you will not use now.

If eating now, make some rice, shred some cheese, and add whatever veggies you want for some good old beans and rice!