Zeina Recipes

12/28/2025

Thanksgiving Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs
🥩 Ingredients

Meatballs

1 lb ground beef (80/20 works best)

½ cup breadcrumbs

1 large egg

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

4 slices bacon, cooked and finely chopped

2 tbsp ketchup

1 tbsp mustard

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

Optional Toppings

Extra shredded cheddar

Crumbled bacon

Chopped parsley

Mini slider buns or toothpicks for serving

🔥 Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

Mix ingredients
In a large bowl, gently combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, cheese, bacon, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Don’t overmix.

Form meatballs
Roll into 1½–2 inch balls and place evenly on the baking sheet.

Bake
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned.

Optional cheesy finish
Sprinkle extra cheddar on top and return to oven for 2–3 minutes until melted.

🍽️ Serving Ideas

Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks

Turn into mini sliders with dinner rolls

Drizzle with burger sauce (ketchup + mayo + mustard + pickle juice)

Pair with sweet potato fries or a cranberry-mustard dip for a Thanksgiving twist

✨ Tips & Variations

Swap cheddar for Colby Jack or smoked gouda

Add finely chopped onion or pickles for classic burger flavor

Make ahead and reheat easily for holiday parties

Use ground turkey if you want a lighter version

12/28/2025

Pumpkin Cinnamon Crumble Cookies
🍪 Ingredients
Pumpkin Cookies

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp pumpkin spice (or extra cinnamon + nutmeg)
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon Crumble Topping
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp brown sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp cold butter, cut into small pieces

🧁 Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and salt.

Cream butter & sugars
In another bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy.

Add wet ingredients
Mix in pumpkin purée and vanilla until smooth.

Combine
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix just until combined.

Make crumble topping
In a small bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter using fingers or a fork until crumbly.

Assemble cookies
Scoop dough onto baking sheet (about 2 tbsp each). Sprinkle crumble topping generously on each cookie.
Bake
Bake for 11–14 minutes, until set but soft in the center.
Cool
Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
✨ Tips & Variations
These cookies are soft and cake-like, not crunchy
Add white chocolate chips or chopped pecans for extra flavor
For extra spice, add a pinch of cloves or ginger
Store in an airtight container for up to 4 day
If you want, I can also give you a glazed version, a vegan option, or help scale it for a bake sale 😊

12/14/2025

Decadent Berry Swirl Cheesecake
🧾 Ingredients

Crust

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

½ cup melted butter

2 tbsp sugar

Berry Swirl

1½ cups mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)

⅓ cup sugar

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water

Cheesecake Filling

24 oz (680 g) cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1 cup sour cream

3 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Berry sauce
Cook berries, sugar, and lemon juice over medium heat until soft.
Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thick.
Cool completely, then blend until smooth.

Crust
Mix crumbs, sugar, and butter.
Press into a greased 23 cm (9-inch) springform pan.
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes. Cool.

Filling
Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
Mix in sour cream and vanilla.
Add eggs one at a time on low speed.

Assemble
Pour filling over crust.
Spoon berry sauce on top and swirl gently with a knife.

Bake
Bake at 160°C (325°F) for 55–65 minutes, center slightly jiggly.

Cool
Turn oven off, crack door, cool 1 hour.
Refrigerate at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.

✨ Tips

Use a water bath for extra creaminess (wrap pan in foil).

Don’t overmix after adding eggs to avoid cracks.

Serve with fresh berries on top.

12/14/2025

Pineapple Upside-Down Sugar Cookies
🧾 Ingredients

Topping

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

½ cup brown sugar

1 can pineapple rings, well drained

Maraschino cherries

Sugar Cookies

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

¾ cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1½ cups all-purpose flour

½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a muffin tin.

Prepare topping
Spoon about 1 teaspoon melted butter into each muffin cup.
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon brown sugar over the butter.
Cut pineapple rings into small rounds or chunks and place one piece in each cup.
Add a cherry in the center.

Make cookie dough
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in egg and vanilla.
Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt until a soft dough forms.

Assemble
Scoop about 1½ tablespoons dough and gently flatten over the pineapple in each cup.

Bake
Bake 12–15 minutes, until lightly golden.

Flip
Let cookies cool 5 minutes, then carefully invert onto a tray while warm.

🌟 Tips

Don’t overbake — soft cookies work best.

Use parchment under the pan when flipping (the syrup can drip).

Can be made in a mini-muffin pan for bite-size treats.

12/14/2025

Ingredients

Crust

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

½ cup melted butter

Cream Cheese Layer

2 cups powdered sugar

12 oz (340 g) cream cheese, softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

Fruit Layer

4–5 bananas, sliced

1 can (20 oz / ~560 g) crushed pineapple, well drained

1½ cups sliced strawberries

Topping

2–3 cups whipped topping (or homemade whipped cream)

Chocolate syrup

Chopped nuts (walnuts or peanuts)

Maraschino cherries (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Prepare the crust
Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. Press firmly into a 9×13 inch dish. Chill for 15 minutes.

Cream layer
Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread evenly over the crust.

Add fruit
Layer sliced bananas over the cream cheese.
Spread crushed pineapple on top, then add strawberries.

Top it off
Spread whipped topping evenly over the fruit.

Decorate
Drizzle with chocolate syrup, sprinkle nuts, and add cherries if desired.

Chill
Refrigerate at least 4 hours (overnight is best).

💡 Tips

Toss banana slices in a little lemon juice to prevent browning.

Make sure pineapple is very well drained to avoid a soggy cake.

Can be made 1 day ahead.

If you’d like, I can also give you:

A smaller version (for a round pan)

A healthier/light version

Or a printable recipe card 📄

12/14/2025

Honey Bacon Roasted Potatoes

12/07/2025

FILET MIGNON WITH SHRIMP AND LOBSTER CREAM

12/07/2025

Texas chocolate pcan pie

12/07/2025

Amish Hamburger Steak Bake

📝 Ingredients (serves 4–6)
For the hamburger steaks:

1 kg ground beef

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 egg

½ cup breadcrumbs

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp paprika (optional)

For the casserole:

4–5 potatoes, thinly sliced

1 onion, sliced into rings

2 tbsp olive oil or butter

Salt & pepper to season potatoes

For the gravy:

2 cups beef broth

1 cup heavy cream OR 1 can cream of mushroom/chicken soup

2 tbsp flour

2 tbsp butter

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

Salt & pepper to taste

🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the hamburger steaks

In a large bowl, mix ground beef, onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika.

Shape into 6–8 steak-shaped patties.

In a hot pan with a little oil, sear each patty for 2–3 minutes per side just until browned (they don’t need to be fully cooked).

This step adds flavor and keeps them firm in the bake.

2. Prepare the casserole base

Grease a baking dish.

Layer the thin potato slices across the bottom.

Add the onion rings on top.

Drizzle with a little olive oil or butter, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.

3. Make the gravy

Melt butter in a saucepan.

Add flour and stir to form a light roux.

Slowly whisk in beef broth and stir until thickened.

Add cream (or canned soup), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Simmer for 3–4 minutes until creamy.

4. Assemble and bake

Place the browned hamburger steaks on top of the potatoes and onions.

Pour the gravy over everything, making sure it seeps between the layers.

Cover with foil.

Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 1 hour, then uncover and bake 20 minutes more to brown the top.

🍽️ Serving suggestions

This dish tastes amazing with:

Steamed green beans

Buttered peas

Fresh Amish-style coleslaw

Homemade bread or dinner rolls

The potatoes become soft and creamy, the beef stays juicy, and the gravy ties everything together with rich, comforting flavor.

12/07/2025

09/10/2025

Strawberries & Cream Frappuccino (Copycat Recipe)
🥘 Ingredients (serves 2)

1 cup milk (whole for creaminess, or any milk you like)

1 cup ice cubes

1 cup vanilla ice cream (or ½ cup heavy cream for a richer version)

½ cup fresh or frozen strawberries (hulled)

2–3 tbsp strawberry syrup (or puree)

1 tsp vanilla extract

Whipped cream (for topping)

Extra strawberry sauce or fresh berries (for garnish)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Blend base

In a blender, combine milk, ice, vanilla ice cream, strawberries, syrup, and vanilla extract.

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Taste & adjust

Add more strawberry syrup if you want it sweeter or more vibrant pink.

Serve

Pour into tall glasses.

Top with whipped cream and drizzle of strawberry syrup.

🍴 Tips & Variations

For a lighter version, swap ice cream for Greek yogurt and use almond or oat milk.

To make it caffeinated, add ½ cup cold brew or a shot of espresso before blending.

Freeze-dried strawberries blended in will give you an extra bold strawberry flavor (and pink color).

Turn it into a dessert milkshake by adding crushed shortbread cookies before blending.

09/10/2025

Philly Cheesesteak Meatloaf
🥘 Ingredients (serves 6)

For the meatloaf:

2 lbs ground beef (80/20 works best)

1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or plain)

2 large eggs

½ cup milk

1 medium onion, finely diced

1 green bell pepper, finely diced

1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped (optional but adds “steakhouse” flavor)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

For the cheesy filling/topping:

8 slices provolone cheese (or mozzarella for melty pull)

½ cup shredded mozzarella (extra gooeyness)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Preheat oven

Set to 375°F (190°C). Grease or line a loaf pan.

Cook veggies

In a skillet, sauté onion, pepper, mushrooms, and garlic until softened. Let cool slightly.

Mix meatloaf base

In a large bowl, combine beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, and sautéed veggies. Mix gently (don’t overwork).

Assemble loaf

Press half the meat mixture into the loaf pan.

Layer with half the provolone slices.

Add remaining meat mixture on top, sealing edges.

Bake

Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes.

Remove, add remaining provolone + shredded mozzarella on top.

Return to oven for 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Rest & serve

Let sit 10 minutes before slicing so it holds together.

🍴 Serving Ideas

Serve with garlic mashed potatoes or hoagie rolls (slice and stuff the meatloaf inside for an actual Philly cheesesteak sandwich!).

Drizzle with a little cheese sauce if you want it extra indulgent.

For spice: add diced jalapeños or hot cherry peppers to the veggie mix.