1  pound dry black beans
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp ground cumin
4 bay leaves
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 15-ounce cans of whole black bean (preferably S&W premium black beans, or Bush's best black beans)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
3 cups, uncooked rice, white or brown
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 1/2 to 6 cups of water, depending on the type of rice (read package)
Sliced red cabbage
Ripe avocado, peeled and cut into chunks
Fresh tomato salsa
Chopped fresh cilantro
Queso fresco Mexican farmer's cheese (or Cotija cheese) (skip if cooking vegan)
Sour cream or crema fresca (skip if cooking vegan)