The October Table
Three recipes for a cozy autumn evening
A little seasonal, a little indulgent, and entirely October. This three-course pairing brings together savory roasted flavors, warm apple and spice, and a sophisticated drink that ties everything together.
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Main Course
Maple-Dijon Roast Chicken with Apples & Thyme
Sweet maple, sharp Dijon and roasted apples turn a simple chicken dinner into an autumn centerpiece.
You’ll Need
Serves 4
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 apples, sliced into wedges
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1½ tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
The Method
- Heat the oven. Set your oven to 425°F. Arrange the chicken, apples and onion in a large baking dish or sheet pan.
- Make the glaze. Whisk together the olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper.
- Bring it together. Brush the maple-Dijon mixture generously over the chicken. Toss the apples and onions with any remaining glaze.
- Roast. Bake for approximately 35–45 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F internally and the skin is deeply golden.
- Finish. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Spoon the roasted apples and onions around the chicken and drizzle with the pan juices.
Stíl Solas Note
Serve it with crispy roasted potatoes or a simple arugula salad. The combination of maple, mustard, thyme and baked apple gives the dish that unmistakable October feeling without becoming overly sweet.
Dessert
Brown Butter Apple Crumble
Golden apples, brown butter and a crisp oat topping make this the dessert October was made for.
You’ll Need
Serves 6
For the apples
- 5–6 apples, peeled and sliced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the crumble
- ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
The Method
- Prepare the apples. Heat the oven to 375°F. Toss the apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Place them in a baking dish.
- Brown the butter. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking until it becomes golden and smells nutty. Remove from the heat.
- Make the topping. Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir in the browned butter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Bake. Scatter the crumble evenly over the apples. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until bubbling around the edges and golden on top.
- Serve warm. Let it cool slightly before serving.
Stíl Solas Note
For the full autumn experience, serve warm with vanilla ice cream. The cold, creamy ice cream melting into the warm apple filling is exactly the sort of little luxury October calls for.
Cocktail
Maple Apple Bourbon Sour
Bright apple, mellow bourbon and a touch of maple make this an autumn cocktail with just enough sophistication.
You’ll Need
Makes 1 cocktail
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz fresh apple cider
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz pure maple syrup
- Ice
- Apple slice and thyme sprig, for garnish
The Method
- Build the cocktail. Add bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice and maple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake. Shake vigorously for about 10–15 seconds.
- Strain. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish. Add a thin apple slice and a small sprig of thyme.
Stíl Solas Note
The bourbon brings warmth, the apple cider keeps it unmistakably seasonal, and lemon prevents the maple from becoming too sweet. It’s the perfect drink to serve alongside the roast chicken—or slowly sip while the apple crumble is still warm.
