Garay'S Santa Maria Beans - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lb. dried Poquito beans (Santa Maria small reds)
1 large clove garlic, peeled and minced
3 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
1 or 2 (depending on taste) canned Chipotle chiles in Adobo sauce
1 large ham hock
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced
1 family size Lipton tea bag
1 tsp. oregano
salt

Preparation

Pick over and wash beans, draining well.
Place in 6 to 8-quart kettle.
Cover with water.
Bury ham hock in beans.
Add sliced onion, minced garlic, cilantro and 2 teaspoons salt.
Cut top off tea bag and add tea leaves to mixture.
Add Chipotle chile(s), one for medium heat and two for hotter.
Bring beans to a boil.
Cover and reduce heat.
Add boiling water as needed to keep beans just slightly covered with water.
Simmer for at least two hours.