I grew up in a Dominican and Puerto Rican household. Between my mom’s amazing mojo sauce for tostones and my grandfather’s incredible talent for making all different kinds of (rice and) beans, it is safe to say I was always pretty well fed.
Check out the quick video I made showing how to make Tostones and mojo:

http://http://instagram.com/p/vFXMYlDm14/?modal=true

Below is my recipe for black beans!

Ingredients
2 cans of black beans
1/2 onion, small dice
1 large clove of garlic, minced
1/2 cubanelle pepper, small dice
2 cups Chicken stock

1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 smoked pork chop, diced (or 1/2 packet ham flavoring/bullion)
2 bay leaves

A few (10 or so) sprigs of cilantro tied together

Olive oil
Splash of white wine

Directions
Coat the bottom of a pot with about 2 tbsp olive oil. Toss in the smoked chops until they get a bit of color on them (sautéed for a few min). Next, add in and sweat the the onions, garlic, cubanelle pepper. Add a heavy splash (about 1/4 cup) of white wine. Drain the cans of black beans and then add them to the pot. Fill 2 cans worth of chicken stock and add them to the pot. Add the bay leaves, cumin, and cilantro. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer for about 45 min or so, stirring occasionally.
Enjoy your black beans!