Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      tablespoons   olive oil
   3      tablespoons   butter
   3      pounds        lean beef stew meat -- cut into 1" cubes
   1      medium        onion -- minced
     1/2  cup           tomato paste
     1/2  cup           dry white wine
     1/4  cup           red wine vinegar
     3/4  cup           water
   2      tablespoons   minced garlic
   1                    bay leaf
   1      teaspoon      dried oregano leaves -- crumbled
   1      teaspoon      ground cinnamon
     1/2  teaspoon      ground cumin
     1/2  teaspoon      sugar
     1/4  teaspoon      cayenne pepper -- or to taste
                        salt and freshly ground black pepper -- to taste
  16      small         white boiling onions -- peeled
     1/2  cup           pine nuts
     1/2  pound         feta cheese -- crumbled or grated
     1/2  cup           minced parsley
                        hot-pepper sauce -- optional

Preparation:

In a large, heavy skillet, heat oil and butter over moderate heat. Raise heat to high and brown meat, one third at a time, removing meat to a large, heavy casserole (preferably with an enamel or porcelain coating) as it browns. Add minced onion to skillet, sauté just until wilted, and spoon into casserole. Add tomato paste, wine, vinegar, the water, garlic, bay leaf, oregano, cinnamon, cumin, and sugar to the casserole. Stir well and add cayenne, salt, and pepper, to taste. Bring just to a boil, cover tightly, lower heat, and simmer 1 hour. Add white boiling onions and simmer, covered, until meat is very tender (about 1 hour longer). Degrease stew if necessary and carefully correct seasonings; stir in nuts. Sprinkle feta cheese over stew, pushing it gently into top of liquid with a wooden spoon. Cover and simmer to melt cheese (about 5 minutes longer). Sprinkle parsley on top and serve stew in deep soup bowls, making sure that everyone gets some nuts and cheese, but leaving some room in each bowl for rice to be added. Have hot-pepper sauce on hand, to be added as desired.