1 pound (2 cups) small navy beans -- soaked
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion -- finely diced
3 small dried red chilies -- seeded
15 garlic cloves -- minced
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 teaspoons ground cumin
6 ounces tomato paste -- canned
2 tomatoes -- coarsely chopped
7 cups water -- or vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
1/8 teaspoon cayenne -- or to taste
20 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley -- chopped
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
10 sprigs fresh cilantro -- chopped
Cider vinegar -- or red wine vinegar -- optional

DIRECTIONS:

Rinse and pick over the beans and soak them overnight in a  bowl of water to cover. Drain and proceed with the recipe. For the quick-soak method, place the beans in a large soup pot and add 10 cups of hot water.  Bring them to a rolling boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the beans stand in the cooking water for at least 1 hour, and preferable longer.  Drain the beans and proceed with the recipe. The older the beans, the longer they will take to cook. 

In a large soup pop over medium high heat, heat the oil, and cook the onion, stirring occasionally, until tender; 6 to 8 minutes. Add the chilies, garlic, paprika, pepper, and cumin. Cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and 1 cup of the water or broth and bring to a boil. Add the beans, the remaining 6 cups water or broth, the bay leaves, cayenne, and 10 of the parsley sprigs tied together with cotton string. Mince the remaining parsley and set aside. Lower the heat to medium low, cover, and cook the beans until tender, 1 to 2 hours.

Before serving, discard the chilies, bay leaves, and tied parsley. Season with salt. Stir in the reserved minced parsley and cilantro. Serve hot with vinegar  on the side, if you like. 

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