Flavorful Taco Casserole

(Another one of my own recipes, except I made this one up without any "backup" recipe)

Ingredients:

1 recipe of homemade refried beans

tortilla chips

8 oz can tomato sauce

2 lbs ground beef

2 cups shredded cheese (I used cheddar and colby jack)

4 tsp taco seasoning (I use homemade taco seasoning)

For homemade refried beans:

1 can black beans (rinsed, drained, and divided)

1/2 cup water

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

dash of cayenne pepper

several drops of tabasco sauce

Beans directions:

In a medium saucepan on the stove, heat half of the beans with all of the water on low heat until heated through. Meanwhile, make a paste out of the remaining beans by smashing with a fork (in a small bowl). Once the beans on the stove are heated stir in bean paste and add garlic, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and tabasco sauce. Cook for 10 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

Casserole directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Crush enough chips to cover the bottom of a 13x9 baking dish. Spread evenly. On stove, mix tomato sauce into refried beans, and warm on low heat. Brown the meat, drain, and add taco seasoning. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water if meat is too dry. Cook for a few more minutes. Spread refried bean mixture over chips. Spread taco meat evenly over refried bean mixture. Sprinkle cheese over the whole casserole, and bake for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through.

Chocolate Chip-Toffee-Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

(this is my own recipe!)

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup Heath toffee bits
1/2 cup sweetened coconut

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Mix in the quick oats, chocolate chips, toffee bits, and coconut. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 12-15 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.