Instructions: Soak the beans for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. Drain off any excess soaking water, place the soaked beans in a soup pot and cover with fresh water. Bring just to a boil, then cover abd turn the heat way down. Cook at a very slow simmer until beans are tender, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. Check form time to time to be sure there is enough water and add more if necessary. When the beans are cooked, drain them well. Then rinse thoroughly in cold water and drain them well again. In a large bowl, combine beans, corn, garlic, onion, bell pepper, carrot if using, salt, olive oil and lime juice. Roast the whole cumin seeds in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat, stirring several minutes. Add the toasted seeds to the salad, along with the cilantro, parsley, basil and red and black pepper to taste and mix thoroughly but gently.

If using tortillas, lightly brush both sides with olive oil and cut tortillas into strips approximately 1/4 inch wide and 1 1/2 inches long. Cook the strips slightly by tasoting them in a 350-degree oven or toaster oven for about 2 minutes or in a heavy skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. They should be partly crispy and pastly chewy. Stir these into the salad shortly before serving or scatter them on top as a garnish.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.