Cooking with Celestyal
Bringing the Flavors of Greece to Life
Welcome to Cooking to Celestyal. Hosted by Scott Moore and Natalie Papoutsoglou, this new series is filmed from Natalie’s kitchen and inspired by the authentic flavors of the destinations we sail to.
Each episode brings you a classic recipe from Greece and beyond — giving you a simple, engaging way to connect with the cultures behind a Celestyal journey.
From family traditions to local ingredients, these recipes are designed to help you bring our destinations to life for your clients — through the food, stories and hospitality they’ll experience with us.
This Episode's Recipe
Traditional Greek Salad (Horiatiki)
What’s in a Traditional Greek Salad?
Authentic Horiatiki includes:
- Vine-ripened tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Green bell pepper
- Red onion
- Kalamata olives
- Greek feta (preferably sheep’s milk, in brine)
- Greek extra virgin olive oil
- Dried oregano
- Sea salt and cracked black pepper
- Optional splash of red wine vinegar
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare the Onion (Optional but recommended)
Thinly slice one red onion into half moons. For a milder taste, soak in ice water with a teaspoon of red wine vinegar for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Prep the Vegetables
- Slice 4 medium tomatoes into bite-sized pieces
- Partially peel and slice 1 cucumber into half moons
- Slice 1 green bell pepper into rings
Step 3: Build the Salad
Combine the vegetables in a large serving dish and add:
- A handful of Kalamata olives
- Drained red onion
- 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
- A pinch of sea salt
Step 4: Dress
Drizzle with:
- ¼ cup Greek extra virgin olive oil
- 1–2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (optional)
Gently toss.
Step 5: Finish
Top with generous pieces of feta, add a final sprinkle of oregano and serve.
Natalie’s Tip:
“If you want to keep it truly traditional, don’t overcomplicate it. The quality of the olive oil, feta and tomatoes does all the work.”
Watch the Episode
Join Scott and Natalie in the kitchen as they prepare this classic Greek favorite and share the stories behind it.
Coming Next Time
More authentic recipes inspired by Greece and the Mediterranean.
Upcoming episodes may include:
- Greek Mule
- Tzatziki
- Limoncello Martini
Bookmark this page and come back weekly for a new recipe.