This crostini brings together culinary worlds that once seemed far apart—Italian crostini and the classic New York bagel with lox. It’s like a mini bagel reinvented as an elegant Italian appetizer, uniting the smoky richness of Jewish deli tradition with the fresh, herby simplicity of Mediterranean cuisine.

Traditional Russian rassolnik recipe is a hearty soup made with pickles, barley, and beef (or chicken, or pork).

"In a cabbage bed, a rose is a weed...”

Potato and chicken stew is a classic example of everyday Eastern European comfort food. After potatoes were introduced to the region in the 18th century, they quickly became a staple, often paired with whatever meat was available. Slow simmering in one pot made this dish practical for village kitchens and outdoor cooking alike—much like your version, which has that rustic, fire-cooked feel.

Everything tastes better when it's wrapped in a warm, fluffy hug!