Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1 1/2  cups          black beans -- picked over
   5      cups          cold water
   2      tablespoons   lard or butter
   2                    garlic cloves -- minced
   3                    fresh epazote sprigs
                        salt -- to taste
                        freshly-ground black pepper -- to taste

Preparation:

Soak black beans in enough cold water to cover by 3 inches overnight. Drain. Combine beans, water, lard, garlic and epazote in heavy large Dutch oven over high heat. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until beans are very tender and creamy, about 2 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper.