Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   5      tablespoons   olive oil
   1      medium        onion -- chopped
   1      medium        green bell pepper -- diced
   2                    garlic cloves -- chopped
   2 1/2  cups          cooked black beans
   2      cups          rice
   4 1/2  cups          water
   2      teaspoons     salt
   1                    bay leaf
   2      tablespoons   olive oil
     1/4  teaspoon      cumin
                        black pepper to taste

Preparation:

In a large pot, heat oil till fragrant. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic and cook till tender, about 8 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and cook over medium-high heat until all the water has been absorbed. It should take 15 minutes or less. Stir with a fork, cover and cook over low heat until the rice is tender. Discard bay leaf and serve hot.