These colorful cheese balls are a popular party appetizer in Belarus and neighboring countries. Creamy cheese, garlic, and egg form a savory shell around a juicy cherry tomato center, while fresh dill adds a bright herbal coating. They look elegant on a holiday table and require no cooking beyond boiling the egg.

I think any smoked meat can be used in this soup.

In Belarus, layered salads with mushrooms are often called “пуховые салаты” — “fluffy salads” — because each layer is gently pressed to stay airy, not dense, giving the dish its signature soft, cloud‑like texture.

You can use any meat for these patties. I prefer a mixture of beef, pork and veal in a 1:1:1 ratio.

The Carmen Torte is a rich, dramatic cake—often layered with chocolate, cream, and bright fruit accents—named to reflect the passion and elegance of Bizet’s famous opera.