Mexi-style Casserole

I can actually claim this as an original creation. I've been getting bored with recipe books. It tasted pretty good, and it was very fast to make. Dave liked it, and Elizabeth enjoyed a few cheese and meat free bites.
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1lb ground beef
Taco Seasoning
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can diced chiles
1 cup water
1 can refried beans
2 cups cheddar cheese
6 tortillas
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Brown the hamburger over medium heat. Drain any fat and then add the taco seasoning, tomatoes, chiles, and water. Let it simmer on medium heat till it reaches a good consistency.

In a 9x13 casserole dish, layer tortillas, refried beans, some of the meat mixture, and cheese until you have 3 layers. Top remaining cheese.

Cook at 350F for 20 minutes.

Serve with sour cream, salsa, and tortilla chips.

If you want to get more fancy, throw in sliced olives, and maybe add an extra layer of enchilada sauce or salsa over the top.

Homemade Soft Pretzels

Delicious!! These really taste like the soft pretzels you buy at the mall. They're pretty easy as well.
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1 pkg or 1 Tbsp. yeast
1 1/4 c. warm water
1/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 c. bread flour
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. water
1 Tbsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. butter
Pretzel or kosher salt
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1. Combine yeast and 1 1/2 c. warm water and let stand for 5 minutes.
2. Combine yeast mixture, brown sugar, and bread flour in large bowl.
3. Stir in enough all-purpose flour to make dough soft.
4. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth (about 3 minutes).
5. Cover and let rise 20 minutes.
6. Cut dough into 12 pieces. Roll pieces into 15-inch ropes. Shape into pretzel.

7. Combine 1/2 c. water and baking soda. Dip pretzels into mixture, shaking off excess water.
8. Place on greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt.
9. Bake at 475 degrees for 6 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Brush with butter and serve immediately. Makes 12 pretzels.

I didn't have any bread flour, so I just used all-purpose flour for all of it. Also, I didn't have any Kosher salt, so I used the regular kind, and it worked okay. We served these with leftover pizza sauce, but I think it would also be really good with a bit of garlic powder and Parmesan cheese topping. Of course there's always the usual nacho cheese sauce, which is quite yummy. You've gotta give these a try!

Addendum: Eat these all the first day. They make soggy next-day leftovers!