What I love about Autumn is that some of my favourite ingredients are in season: leek, endives, celeriac, pears, apples, rosemary and hazelnuts. And one that I add to our grocery basket almost every week this season: butternut squash.
I really like the nuttiness and sweetness of this vegetable. My favourite way to cook it is to first peel it, then cube it, toss it with olive oil and spread it on a baking tray for roasting. It is perfect when tender and lightly caramelised on the edges. When cooked this way, it can easily be added to a pot of soup with seasoning, stock and whatever ingredients would go well with it. I have used it before in this miso soup with chestnuts and also not roasted in a simple butternut soup with blue cheese and walnut toppings.  
Among many recipe ideas, there is something else you can add it to: a delicious quiche.

The last time I was in France, all I kept hearing about was le gâteau nantais. As it happens, every patisserie I walked into had gâteau nantais for sale, in its full size or mini versions. Then, my mother also had one in the fridge and one of my cousins told me all about making one recently.
I was obviously really intrigued and felt I had to taste this cake sooner than later. And when I did taste it, I immediately knew I would have to share the recipe here because this cake is just really delicious and you should really try it if you like this type of desserts. 

Bonjour and happy Saturday!
​How was your week? Mine was spent with a box of tissues on one side and a mug of hot water with lemon and honey on the other. I declare the season of colds and soups officially on!
I still managed to get some work done though and repotted a few indoor plants (it was badly needed!). As usual, I also collected a few interesting things to share with you today.
Have a lovely weekend!

Another trip abroad, another suitcase filled with the lovely things we brought back.
Traveling abroad is always the occasion to get a few things that will remind us of our trip after we are back home. Most times, they are edible things that will last a couple of weeks and sometimes it could be something such as a loaf of bread and fresh pastries from a local bakery picked up right before heading to the airport. Those are perfect to have the next day as a mini extension to our holiday time.

A trip to France is always the occasion to fill the suitcase with delicious things. I sometimes even get a variety of cheeses and charcuterie vacuum-packed but we skipped it on this occasion since we were staying at a hotel for the last bit of the trip. Here is a selection of what we brought back from la Belle France this time: