| 2 | c | Black turtle beans |
| 1 | | Bay leaf |
| 4 | ts | Cumin seeds |
| 4 | ts | Dried oregano leaves |
| 4 | ts | Paprika |
| 1/2 | ts | Cayenne pepper |
| 1 | | Chile negro or ancho chile, (for chili powder), -=OR=- |
| 2 | tb | -Chili powder, or more |
| 3 | tb | Corn or peanut oil |
| 3 | md | Yellow onions diced into 1/4-in squares |
| 4 | | Garlic cloves coarsely chopped |
| 1/2 | ts | Salt |
| 1 1/2 | lb | Ripe or canned tomatoes peeled, seeded and chopped; juice reserved |
| 1 | tb | Rice wine vinegar (or more) |
| 4 | tb | Cilantro, chopped |
| | GARNISHES |
| | Green chiles: |
| 2 | | Poblano or Anaheim, roasted, peeled & diced =OR=- |
| 2 | oz | -Canned green chiles, rinsed well and diced |
| 1/2 | c | Grated Muenster cheese (or more) |
| 1/2 | c | Creme fraiche or sour cream |
| 5 | | Cilantro sprigs |
