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.

Chili soup, or chili con carne, originated in 19th-century Texas, blending Mexican and Native American influences. It began as a simple stew of meat, chili peppers, and spices, gaining popularity through San Antonio’s "Chili Queens" and later spreading across the U.S.

Beet salads are a staple in Eastern European cuisine, valued for their earthy sweetness and bright color. This version uses both baby beets and their tender stems, creating a zero-waste, herb-forward dish balanced with garlic and red wine vinegar.

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.

Croissants, though famously French, actually trace their roots to Vienna, Austria! Their ancestor is the kipferl, a crescent-shaped pastry that dates back to at least the 13th century. Legend says Viennese bakers created it to celebrate the defeat of the Ottoman Turks — the crescent shape imitating the symbol on the Ottoman flag.