Cuban Black Beans - Half Cup Habit

Ingredients

• 1 bell pepper (green; diced)
• 4 cloves cloves (peeled)
• 8 ounces black beans (dried; rinsed and soaked overnight)
• 2 slices bacon (cooked and diced (use smoked tempeh bacon for vegetarian option))
• 1 bay leaf
• salt (to taste)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1/2 onion (Spanish; diced)
• 1/2 tsp oregano (dried)
• 1/4 tsp cumin (ground)
• 1/2 tsp pepper (black; freshly ground)
• 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar (turbinado or other brown)