We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Program.
First let me just say thank you to everyone who voted and encouraged me so far. I couldn't be here without you! I'm nervous, excited and, above all, grateful. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
“Channel your inner Julia Child and put one of your favorite recipes on film. Pick a recipe from your blog archives and make it come to life on video by showing readers the perfect way to poach an egg or just how passionate you are about seasonal ingredients. Keep your video under 5 minutes for maximum impact.”
I did my hair up all pretty. I made sure my eyelashes were expertly curled. I sported my cute new pink polka dot apron. I spent two days scrubbing every inch of my kitchen. I practiced my smile in the mirror.
Sure I might say “so” a few too many times. I might prattle on about my love of demerara sugar. I might have neglected to peel the sticker off the back of my cake pan even after using it twenty some odd times. I might not have a fancy kitchen island and used my deep freezer covered in a tablecloth instead. I might be wearing glass pearls instead of the real thing.
As Julia Child would say, no excuses, no apologies. This is me. Unadulterated Lindsey.
Oh and there's cake. We can't forget the cake!
Pear Upside Down Spice Cake
Source: Adapted from my family recipe.
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter
3 pears, sliced
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and position a rack in the center. Butter a 9 inch round cake pan and place a circle of parchment paper to fit on the bottom of the pan. Butter the parchment paper as well and then set it aside.
In a small sauce pan combine 1/2 cup of brown sugar and butter and heat it on low heat until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Remove it from the heat and pour it into the prepared cake pan. Layer the sliced pears over top of that in a circle with overlapping edges.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer cream together the butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar then blend in the eggs. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter, sugar and eggs mixture alternating by thirds.
Pour the batter over the pears and bake it for 30 – 35 minutes. Leave the cake to cool in the pan for 10 – 15 minutes. Once the pan is cool enough to touch carefully flip the cake over onto a serving plate by placing the plate upside down over the cake pan then, while gripping both the plate and pan, quickly turn the whole thing right side up. Lightly jiggle the cake out of it's pan and enjoy!
November 13th, 2010 - 14:21
You are so cute! Love the cake.
I also laughed when you wrote you expertly curled your eyelashes. 
November 13th, 2010 - 15:54
Oh yes, I am a veritable make up artist.
November 13th, 2010 - 14:47
You are a natural!! I love it.
November 13th, 2010 - 15:54
Thank you Heather!
November 13th, 2010 - 15:34
YUMMY! Look so good and easy to make. Great job!
November 13th, 2010 - 15:36
You said so just the exact right number of times terrific job. Video is sooo fun! GREG
November 13th, 2010 - 15:45
I love it and it’s so great to finally “meet” you!!
Love the apron, too!!
November 13th, 2010 - 15:54
Thank you lady! Now it’s your turn!
My mummy made my apron!
November 13th, 2010 - 16:33
You’re a natural, Lindsey!
I love this whole video! The recipe, your advice and comments are the ingredients, and your retro look!
First Step: Project Food Blog, Next Step: Next Food Network Star!
November 13th, 2010 - 17:08
Thank you so much Rachèle! You’re so sweet!
November 13th, 2010 - 17:39
delicious pictures lovely video
November 13th, 2010 - 18:30
You are so adorable in this video! I love your apron but most of all the cake
Great job! The video really looks very spontaneous!
November 13th, 2010 - 22:45
Thank you so much!
November 14th, 2010 - 07:13
looks delicious.. good job;)
November 14th, 2010 - 09:25
To think this is the first ever video you’ve made and all on your own. Written, directed, produced, filmed and edited; all by Lindsey. You are relaxed, natural and relate so well with your audience. You demonstrate and communicate the recipe with easy to understand steps. I’m so glad you chose the pink apron of the three I made for you. It is in keeping with your Hot Polka Dot colours and looks so adorable.
What can I say? What an amazing job. I am SO proud of you. I cried. I cried with pride and also because seeing my beautiful daughter on video knowing that you are almost 4,000 kms away, reminded me just how much I miss you.
I love you sweetie.
Mom
November 14th, 2010 - 10:14
I love you too Mummy!
November 14th, 2010 - 10:38
Belle Mademoiselle making a gorgeous upside-down cake !!! Congratulations!
November 14th, 2010 - 13:37
Merci Cristina!
November 14th, 2010 - 13:14
Great job on this! Best wishes.
November 14th, 2010 - 13:45
sweet: cake, outfit, eyelashes and you!
November 14th, 2010 - 14:10
You are so darn cute! What a great video…and pear upside down spice cake….oh YUM!!!! Sounds (& looks) divine!
November 14th, 2010 - 16:45
Thanks so much Rachel! Glad to see you came back for a visit!
November 14th, 2010 - 16:09
Hi, your video is so cute! The cake looks delicious. Continued success to you
November 14th, 2010 - 19:46
Yay, what a great video and cute apron
I love that you tasted it at the end too just like they do on tv!
November 14th, 2010 - 21:06
Lol yeah I was going for realism. Thank you!
November 14th, 2010 - 20:28
Great job with a video, my husband even commented on how calm and relaxed you looked. You totally rocked that new apron, and let’s not forget about that delicately spiced pear cake… I “so” wanted a bite!!
November 14th, 2010 - 20:29
Oooops I meant “Great job with *the* video”.
November 14th, 2010 - 21:05
Thank you so much! It was a lot of fun!
November 15th, 2010 - 08:10
Great job. Your hair looks amazing, your eyelashes look perfect, and your cake looks absolutely scrumptious. Good luck with this round! I think you’ve got it in the bag.
BTW, I have serious apron envy and I think it’s so neat that your mother made it. Looks like creative talent runs in the family.
November 15th, 2010 - 08:59
Thank you so much Isabelle! I love my new apron.
November 15th, 2010 - 08:41
Well done Lindsey. Wish you all the best..I am voting now.
November 15th, 2010 - 08:56
You are so endearing! Great job! Not only on the video but all the extra cleaning and preening – it truly paid off.
~ Mary
November 15th, 2010 - 09:10
Great job Linds! You look beautiful! Perfectly calm and composed.
November 15th, 2010 - 10:09
Thank you Sam! You’re so sweet!
November 15th, 2010 - 20:24
Nice job on the video! Your cake looks wonderful! You have my vote!
November 15th, 2010 - 20:56
Thanks Amy! I really appreciate it!
November 15th, 2010 - 20:28
I can’t believe how great that cake looks. Wow!
November 15th, 2010 - 20:32
I dont even like pears and this cake looks delicious!
November 15th, 2010 - 20:34
well done
November 16th, 2010 - 02:16
Great job Lindsey! That was awesome! Good luck!!
November 17th, 2010 - 02:57
I love that you wore pearls! Hilarious! The cake looks marvellous. I’ve voted for ya =)
November 17th, 2010 - 09:20
Thank you Clare!
November 17th, 2010 - 05:33
Lovely! I love the whole look of the video. And that recipe… Best of luck, girl!
November 17th, 2010 - 14:50
Totally adorable video. You have such a nice presence on camera, and it is wonderful to see your personality come to life in front of us. That cake looks amazing, and I really love the crinkled paper background. genius. Nicely done, friend. =) Hope to see us both in round 8!!!
November 17th, 2010 - 15:02
Thank you Jacob! Fingers crossed!
November 17th, 2010 - 19:54
You are adorable and the cake looks divine!
November 18th, 2010 - 09:26
i love pears in any dessert! and you are way too cute. no wonder mama is so proud
November 18th, 2010 - 17:11
You are rocking that apron and those pearls. Pear cake is one of my favorites and you’ve done an amazing job of it. Love it all. Vote’s in. Good luck!
November 18th, 2010 - 17:40
Thank you Heena!
November 22nd, 2010 - 08:23
This looks SO yummy!