OCTOBRE: THE ART OF EATING WELL
Spa-like autumn food, simple rituals & a little French luxury
October has a way of making us want to slow down. The light softens, the evenings arrive a little earlier, and the foods of the season become warmer, earthier, and more comforting.
It’s also a lovely time to return to the simple pleasure of taking care of ourselves—not through restriction or rigid routines, but through small choices that make everyday life feel a little more beautiful.
This month, I’m embracing simple, elegant autumn cooking: beautiful vegetables, nourishing proteins, beautiful spices (I am loving the spice blends from La Boîte), good olive oil, crisp potatoes, velvety soups, and a few little luxuries along the way. Think spa-like autumn food—meals that leave you feeling nourished and cared for, while still bringing plenty of pleasure to the table.
Seasonal.
Simple.
Nourishing.
A little luxurious.
I’ve been inspired by the French approach to making everyday food feel intentional: choosing seasonal ingredients, keeping meals uncomplicated, paying attention to how foods come together, and remembering that eating well is about much more than nutrition. It’s also about pleasure, ritual, and the way a meal makes you feel.
The Elevated Pantry
You don’t need a pantry full of exotic ingredients to make everyday food feel special. Sometimes it’s one beautiful spice, a good olive oil, a little fleur de sel—or a few drops of truffle oil.
THE OCTOBER TABLE
A week of simple, elegant autumn meals
MONDAY — A Gentle Beginning
Breakfast
A nice juicy pear + a few walnuts
Lunch
Smoked Salmon & Warm Mushrooms
Smoked salmon with sautéed mushrooms, arugula, fresh herbs and lemon.
Dinner
Creamy Mushroom & Leek Soup with Truffle Oil 🍄
Serve with a small piece of sourdough if desired.
TUESDAY — Fresh and Elegant
Breakfast
Greek yogurt w/ fresh Figs, honey & pistachios
Lunch
Omelette aux Fines Herbes
With fresh herbs, bitter greens and good bread. Maybe a little shaved fennel or radish alongside. A very simple, protein-rich lunch that feels wonderfully French.
Dinner
Cod with Silky Leeks, Fennel & Lemon
WEDNESDAY — Seasonal, Light & Plant-based
Breakfast
a beautiful apple + a few walnuts
Lunch
Carrot, Beet & Fennel Salad
with herbs, pumpkin seeds and lemon-Dijon dressing.
Dinner
Courgettes with Herbed Yogurt & Lemon
Thin zucchini ribbons or coins, gently steamed and dressed with:
- lemon zest
- parsley or dill
- good olive oil
- flaky salt
- a little black pepper
- herbed Greek yogurt
- top w/shrimp or a soft egg, optional
Simple, beautiful on the plate, very chic.
Little Charlotte touch:
“The final touch is where the luxury lies.”
THURSDAY — Earthy & Comforting
Breakfast
Greek yogurt with Pear & pumpkin Seeds
Lunch
Creamy Mushroom & Leek Soup with Truffle Oil
with sourdough/rye crackers
Dinner
Roasted Baby Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce
A French-inspired curry blend like Vadouvan would be a perfect addition.
FRIDAY — A Little Luxury
Breakfast
Lunch
Shrimp Salad (I love Ina’s recipe – Greek yogurt in place of the mayo)
Serve with crudité, arugula or sourdough/rye crackers
Dinner
Crisp Potatoes with Truffle Oil & Fleur de Sel
Served with a simple green salad and maybe a nice slice of Parmigiano or Brie.
Eating well doesn’t mean giving up the little luxuries.
SATURDAY — The Market Plate
Breakfast
Tartine with Butter & Fig Jam (or fresh figs)
Coffee, naturally. ☕️
Lunch
L’Assiette d’Automne
A beautiful composed plate of whatever looks best at the market:
- roasted carrots
- steamed green beans
- mushrooms
- beet
- greens
- lentils or white beans
- a little chèvre
- herbs
- good olive oil
I just found a recipe I am so excited to try – it would be perfect for an assiette d’autumn – Roasted Pumpkin with Cheese Walnut Crumble by Timothy Pakron. 🎃
Dinner
Chicken Paillard w/ Pistachio Pesto Vinaigrette
With arugula or other fresh greens.
SUNDAY — Slow Autumn Sunday
Brunch
Dinner
Instead of Sunny Paris blend, transport your senses with the Tangier blend from La Boite.
Dessert
Poires Rôties aux Épices
Warm Spiced Pears with Greek Yogurt & Walnuts
Pears roasted with beautiful autumn spices, served warm over cool Greek yogurt with toasted walnuts.
LE RITUEL
Le Remodelage à la Maison
A little French-inspired body-care ritual for a quiet October evening.
As October settles in and the evenings grow quieter, take a little time to return to yourself.
Draw a warm bath or take a long shower, perhaps a dry brush beforehand. Smooth a favorite body oil over warm skin and spend five or ten quiet minutes with a gentle massage. Slip into your coziest robe or pajamas, make a cup of tea, and let the evening unfold without rushing.
It doesn’t have to be complicated—or another thing to perfect. Just a few minutes of care, treating your body with the same tenderness you bring to the table.
Wellness doesn’t always need to be another thing to accomplish. Sometimes it’s simply five quiet minutes to care for yourself.
And perhaps that’s the spirit of October: a little more intention, a little more pleasure, a little more beauty.
Eat beautifully. Live beautifully.
À bientôt! 🤎