Black Beans with Stuffed Green Olives

• 1C dried black beans (Soaked 4hrs. in 4C water)
• 1C chopped onion
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1t chili powder
• 2 small bay leaves
• 1C chopped celery
• 1C chopped carrots
• 1/2t black pepper
• 4C water
• 1/4C green olives, stuffed with pimientos (salad olives are fine), rinsed and drained (if desired)

Combine drained soaked beans and everything but the olives in a pot. Bring to a boil and hold there about 10-30 minutes, cover. Simmer about 2 hours. Stir in the olives. (Or stir in olives about 15 minutes before serving.)

This should not be soupy, nor should it be too gloppy. Watch it carefully in the last 45 minutes of cooking (30 minutes before you add the olives).

Serve with rice or corn and whatever you want. Serve hot. Serves about 4.