Rice

Soak brown rice, 2 hrs. Into rice cooker or pot, rinse, drain, and add 1 cup water.

In pan, brown onions, 5 min. Reduce heat, add garlic, and saute 5 min.

Grind bay leaf, pepper, cumin seed, and save.

Cut onion garlic base in half, and to rice and water, add half onions garlic base, salsa, ground spice mix, oregano and salt.

Start rice cooker, or boil rice, reduce heat and cover, 30 min, then leave covered and steam 15 min.

Beans

Using remaining half onion garlic base, add celery and tomato and saute 5 min.

Add beans and spice mix, mix together and simmer 20 min. Remove from heat and set aside.

When rice is cooked and steamed, mix together with beans.

Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve. Can optionally add chopped roasted red pepper, pimento or olives.