This rich and creamy dip became popular in American restaurants in the late 20th century, combining tender spinach, artichokes, and melted cheese into a warm, comforting appetizer. Using marinated artichokes adds extra depth of flavor and a slight tang that makes the dip even more irresistible.

Minestrone is a classic Italian vegetable soup that changes with the seasons—there’s no single “correct” version. Made with simple vegetables, beans, and pasta, it’s a comforting, nourishing dish that has been cooked in Italian homes for centuries using whatever was on hand.

Easy and delicious.

In classic French cooking, dishes with creamy sauces are often associated with the term “à la crème.” Spinach with cream (épinards à la crème) has been served since at least the 18th century, and pairing it with fish like salmon became popular as a way to balance richness with freshness.

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.