Soak the beans

• Rinse the dry beans and pick out any debris.
• Cover the beans with water in a bowl and soak for several hours or overnight.

Sauté the aromatics

• Dice the yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves.
• Sauté the onion and garlic in a saucepan until soft and fragrant.

Add beans and liquid

• Drain the soaked beans and add them to the pan.
• Pour in the water or broth and season with salt, pepper and cumin.

Simmer until tender

• Cover and simmer gently, checking every 15 minutes and adding water as needed.
• Taste and add more salt and pepper if the beans don't taste like much.