1kg (2 pound) piece rump steak
1 tablespoon olive oil
Freshly cracked black peppercorns

Salt
Thyme and Oregano Butter
100g (4 ounces) soft butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1 small clove garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Cut steak into 6 pieces. Brush each steak with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Barbecue, pan-fry or grill steaks until cooked as desired. Serve with slices of thyme and oregano butter.

Thyme and Oregano Butter: Beat all ingredients in small bowl with electric mixer or wooden spoon until well combined. Spoon mixture onto a sheet of grease-proof paper in a rough log shape. Fold one side of the paper over roll, then, with a ruler, push against the butter so that the mixture forms a smooth log. Roll the butter in the grease-proof paper, refrigerate.

Serves 6.

Thyme and Oregano Butter can be made a day ahead.
Storage: Covered in refrigerator; Microwave: Not suitable; Freeze: Butter suitable.

1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 (2 pound) boneless beef chuck, tip or round, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely-ground pepper
1 bay leaf
1 stick cinnamon
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 pound pearl onions, peeled

Crumbled feta cheese

Cook and stir chopped onion and garlic in oil in Dutch oven over medium heat until onion is tender; remove with slotted spoon. Cook beef in remaining oil, stirring frequently, until all liquid is evaporated and beef is brown on all sides, about 25 minutes; drain fat. Return onion and garlic to Dutch oven. Stir in remaining ingredients except onions and cheese. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Add white onions. Cover and simmer until beef and white onions are tender, about 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf and cinnamon. Garnish with cheese.

Yields 6 servings

2 pounds phyllo
2 pounds walnuts, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 pound butter

Mix together chopped nuts, cinnamon and sugar. Grease an 18-inch baking pan and line with 6 layers of phyllo. Cover with thin layer of nut mixture, then top with 1 layer of phyllo. Repeat until all nut mixture is used. Top with 6 layers of phyllo. Cut into diamond-shaped pieces. Place a clove bud in each diamond shape. Pour melted butter over all. Bake 1 1/2 to 2 hours at 300 degrees F until brown, then reduce to 250 degrees F.

Remove from oven and pour cool syrup over all.

Syrup
1 cup honey
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups water
1 cinnamon stick

2 slices lemon

Boil for 25 minutes and let cool. Pour COOL syrup over HOT Baklava!

2 cups uncooked ziti or elbow macaroni
3/4 pound ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups grated Kasseri, Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/4 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Cook macaroni as directed on package; drain. Cook and stir beef and onion in 10-inch skillet until beef is light brown; drain. Stir in tomato sauce and salt. Spread half the macaroni in a greased 8-inch square baking dish; cover with beef mixture. Mix 1/2 cup of the cheese and cinnamon. Sprinkle over beef mixture. Cover with remaining macaroni.

Cook and stir milk and butter in 2-quart saucepan until butter is melted. Stir at least half the milk mixture gradually into beaten eggs. Blend into milk mixture in saucepan; pour over macaroni. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees F until brown and center is set, about 50 minutes. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Garnish with parsley if desired.

1 pound ground beef
1 cup rice
2  onions, ground
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste, divided
1 1/2 tablespoons salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 egg, well beaten
8 green bell peppers
6 cups water
5 medium potatoes, sliced

Combine meat, rice, onions, garlic, oil, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, oregano and egg. Wash green peppers; cut and remove seeds. Fill peppers with meat mixture; place open side down in circle in roasting pan.

Combine remaining ingredients except potatoes; pour over peppers. Place potatoes in center of pan. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 400 degrees F.

1 medium head lettuce
1 bunch romaine
10 radishes, sliced
1 medium cucumber, sliced
6 scallions (with tops), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup olive or vegetable oil
1/3 cup wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves 24 Greek or ripe green olives 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 (2 ounce) can rolled anchovies with capers, drained

Tear lettuce and romaine into bite-size pieces. Place lettuce, romaine, radishes, cucumber and scallions in large plastic bag. Close bag tightly and refrigerate. Shake oil, vinegar, salt and oregano in tightly covered jar; refrigerate.

Just before serving, shake dressing. Add dressing and olives to vegetables in bag. Close bag tightly and shake until ingredients are well coated. Pour salad into large bowl; top with cheese and anchovies.

Yields 8 servings.

3 (6 ounce) jars marinated artichoke hearts, undrained

3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 clove garlic, minced

10 sheets frozen phyllo pastry, thawed

Drain artichoke hearts, reserving marinade; set marinade aside. Position knife blade in food processor bowl; add artichoke hearts, 1/2 cup cheese and garlic. Pulse 4 times or until artichoke hearts are finely chopped. Set aside.

Place 1 phyllo sheet on wax paper (keep remaining phyllo covered). Lightly brush phyllo sheet with oil portion of reserved marinade; sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of remaining cheese. Top with another phyllo sheet; brush lightly with oil portion of reserved marinade. Cut phyllo sheet in half lengthwise. Cut each half crosswise into thirds, making 6 sections, each measuring approximately 6 x 5 inches. Place a heaping teaspoon of artichoke mixture in center of each phyllo section. Gather corners of phyllo over filling, and gently twist to close. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Repeat procedure with remaining phyllo sheets, marinade, cheese and artichoke mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F for 14 minutes or until golden. Serve immediately.

Sauteing the apples first to let the water evaporate ensures a crisp crust.

6 Golden Delicious apples
6 Granny Smith apples
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Nut Mixture
2 1/2 cups walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
24 sheets phyllo dough
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons plain dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons honey

Apple Layer: Peel and slice apples. Melt butter in Dutch oven over high heat. Add apples, sugar and cinnamon; cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender and juices are evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool.

Nut Mixture: Combine all ingredients in small bowl. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Trim phyllo sheets to 13 x 9-inch rectangles; cover with plastic wrap. Brush a 13 x 9-inch metal baking pan with butter. Place 1 phyllo sheet in pan and brush with some of the melted butter (keep remaining phyllo covered). Layer 5 more phyllo sheets on top, brushing each with butter. Spread 2 cups nut mixture on top and repeat layering with 6 more phyllo sheets and butter. Spread apple mixture on top; repeat layering with 6 more phyllo sheets and butter. Sprinkle remaining nut mixture on top; sprinkle with bread crumbs and layer with the 6 remaining phyllo sheets and butter. With sharp knife, cut lengthwise through pastry and filling into 1 1/2 inch-wide strips, then cut diagonally at 2-inch intervals to make diamonds.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until golden. Drizzle honey on top and bake 5 minutes more. Cool in pan on wire rack.
Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped or ice cream.