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I was intrigued when I came across this unusual dessert recipe. Now, ordinarily, I wouldn’t think that a dessert containing grits, of all things, would be appealing. But there was a time when I thought rice was a funny choice, too, and I’m now a huge fan of rice pudding.

So needless to say, I tried it and surprisingly it wasn’t bad. In fact, it was sweet…maybe a little too sweet for some people, but I don’t mind.

Here it is:

Grits Cake

• 1 yellow cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup grits
• 8 oz. pack cream cheese
• 16 oz. powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat over 350 degrees farenheit (careful here, ovens may vary. Mine does, a lot!). Mix cake, 2 eggs, butter, and grits in a bowl.

Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, 2 eggs, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.

Spread first mixture into a 9 x 13 pan. Pour second mixture over cake batter, then bake for 35-45 minutes (once again, ovens may vary).

The top of the cake should be gooey. If you give this dessert recipe a try, I’d love to know what you think about it!

Get Your Just Desserts twice monthly at http://www.koripuckett.com/just-desserts. Tried and true dessert recipes from an average Jane who just loves experimenting with baking.

Although details are understandably sketchy, it is believed that, around 6000 BC, grapes were being grown and wine was being made in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq).

Mesopotamia and Egypt
Wine was popular with the pharaohs of ancient Egypt from about 3000 BC onwards. Inscriptions and illustrations of grape harvesting and wine making have been found in a number of tombs.

Many temples had vineyards attached to them and it is thought that wine was used for religious ritual purposes. However, as is still true today, the majority of Egyptian wine was produced in the Nile delta area.

Wine was stored in clay jars, as wooden barrels were unknown to the ancient Egyptians.

Greece
The exact date that winemaking started in Greece is unknown. However, the remains of a stone wine press, dating from around 1600BC, have been found at a villa in Crete. Wine consumption in ancient Greece had strong associations with the cult of the god, Dionysos. With the rise of Greek influence throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea areas, vines were introduced to areas as far apart as Spain, France, Italy and Georgia. It is believed that a number of traditional southern Italian grape varieties (e.g. Aglianico) were introduced by the Greeks.

Roman Empire
The Romans continued the developments started by the Greeks. Wine was exported to all parts of the Roman Empire including France, Britain and the Rhineland area of Germany. Vineyards were also planted in many of these areas. The Romans documented different grape varieties and the types of soil that produced the highest yields. They also introduced wooden barrels and glass bottles to the wine trade, although these items didn’t completely replace clay amphorae for wine storage.

During the Dark Ages, vineyards were maintained by the monasteries as a source of communion wine. These wine producers laid the foundations for much of the modern wine industry throughout Europe.

About the Author

Since Neil Best first pondered the question, Who made the first wine? he’s been recording his findings at http://www.goodglug.com. Find out about your favorite wine regions, wine recipes, and speciality wines along with how it’s made and how to store wine for your maximum enjoyment.

Like to save time in your kitchen? The food processors may be just what you need. Carving out a niche in the modern home, a few decades ago, the food processor stands right along side such innovations as the microwave oven and the coffee maker. Besides ease of operation, food processors cut down on meal preparation time, with their ability to puree, mince, emulsify, blend and knead. When searching for the right machine for you consider capacity, power and versatility.

Standard food processors have the capacity options of 7, 9 and 11 cups. Small jobs such as mixing together a tasty salad dressing or a few servings of your favorite soup would call for the 7 cup model. But if making large batches of tomato sauce or pesto for freezing, the 9 and 11 cup model might fit that job better. Miniprocessors in the 2 and 3 cup range work great for mincing ginger or garlic and other small food items. Works great for producing your own baby food to. Both the standard food processor and mini belong in everyone’s kitchen.

Units with the single control button and two-speed models offer easy use. Food processors in the 750 watt power range are idea for home use. This gives enough power for everyday using and the occasional bread making session.

The attachments for food processors are what gives them tremendous versatility. These usually include: blades for mixing, puree, and chopping disks for grating and slicing and a whisk whip are common items. Still another food processor attachment let’s you juice fruit.

Food processors are easy to find and buy online. Most have great descriptions of them to help in finding the right one you need. Whether it’s for making your meal in less time or baking bread the food processor is just the tool you need.

Curtis Miller is a successful author and publisher of Kitchens 4u
Your source for kitchen decor, furniture, fine china, cutlery, appliances and more.