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Chocolate, Strawberry, Lemon

Tue, 09/02/2025 - 1:21pm

Baking is on my mind lately, and I really miss my baking station has at the far house. It has an electric oven under the gas cooktop and a separate electric oven around the corner from the range.
Real chefs cook with gas and bake in electric ovens. I was in bakers heaven. That duel fuel range is amazing.

CHOCOLATE CHEESE CAKE

No cream cheese
No sour cream
What Boo worries about if dessert is round

INGREDIENTS

-1 1/3 cups high protein 4% cottage cheese, brought to room temperature
-4 large eggs, room temperature
-1 cup dark chocolate chips, 60% cocoa
How’s that for counting ingredients?

MISE EN PLACE

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Grease the interior of a 6” round pan.
Important: Be sure to use a one-piece pan and not a springform. Try to use one that is 3” deep.
-Line bottom of pan with a parchment paper round and line the sides with strips of parchment paper.
-Add cottage cheese and eggs to a blender.
-Blend until cottage cheese is smooth and there are no egg streaks. After the cottage cheese is smooth and mixed with chocolate, it takes on that flavor.
Boo hasn’t discovered the secret yet.
-Add chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl.
-Heat in 30 second intervals.
-Stir with a spatula between each 30 seconds until chocolate is smooth.
-Let the chocolate cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
-Add melted chocolate to the blender.
-Blend until you have a smooth batter.
-Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed to get everything blended.
-Transfer the batter to baking pan.
-Place the cake pan in a slightly larger baking pan. A 9” square pan will work.
-Fill the outer pan with water at room temperature until water reaches halfway up, creating a water bath.
-Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until center is slightly jiggly. It may take as long as 45 minutes, so just watch for a “giggly” center. The cake should also be pulled away from the cake pan.
-Remove cake from oven and out of water. From experience, I can tell you that managing the hot water is the only con about using a water bath, and caution is required. Google told me Tuesday that water bath is also known as “Bain Marie.” What a great French phrase to add to our baking vernacular.
-Allow it to cool; it will deflate a little.
-Gently loosen the sides with a thin spatula or table knife.
-Carefully flip the cake pan upside down into a plate.
-Flip the again onto a cake plate for it to be right side up until totally cooked.
-The cake is delicious as is, but the topping options are unlimited. Look up “cheese cake toppings” on Google for many choices. The chocolate gravy would be perfect.
-This crustless cheese cake is a firmer than a traditional cheesecake. Still very creamy and not quite as sweet.
-For a sweeter cake, add one of those toppings. The sky’s the limit.

CHOCOLATE GRAVY

Memories of my grandmother

-3/4 cup sugar, more to taste
-1/4 cup flour
-1/4 cup cocoa powder
-2 cups hot milk
-1 egg
-2 tbsp butter
-1 tsp vanilla extract

MISE EN PLACE

-Mix sugar, flour, cocoa powder in a saucepan.
-Stir in 1/2 cup milk
-Add egg.
-Stir in remaining milk.
-Cook over medium heat until thick, about 3 to 5 minutes
-Add butter and vanilla extract.
Advice
-Stay by the stove. Once the gravy gets warm, it thickens quickly.
-Try a flat whisk as it helps with scraping bottom and sides of pan. A flat whisk can be ordered from Amazon.
-Don’t panic if you have clumps. Use a sieve to remove any large pieces.
-Add 1/4 tsp salt to bring out the chocolate flavor. Do this when adding the vanilla and butter.
-Store leftovers in a resealable container in the fridge. Cover the gravy directly with plastic wrap before closing lid to avoid the “skin” that can form on top.
-This gravy makes a delicious chocolate sandwich.
-Spoon some over a slice of pound cake.
-Use it on top of pancakes.
-Dip saltine crackers for that delicious salty/sweet flavor. Potato chips ramp up the flavor tremendously.

My MomMom Chalice made amazing chocolate bread with “gravy” similar to this. She cooked it a little longer, and dipped half slices of bread directly in the pot. They were laid in single layers to cool enough to eat them hand picked right off the platter. I have tried many times to replicate her recipe with no luck. My friends, Pam and Marla, can make a batch while I am watching. Delicious, but not exactly like MomMom’s. I still can’t get the trick but will try again and again.

STRAWBERRY SQUARES
Basically brownies made with strawberries instead of chocolate

INGREDIENTS

-1 (15.5 oz) box strawberry cake mix
-1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
-2 large eggs, room temperature
-2 tsp vanilla extract
-3 strawberries, chopped
-1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar, or more if needed
-1/4 tsp kosher salt

MISE EN PLACE

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Lightly grease an 11x7” baking dish.
-Mix cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract in a bowl.
-Stir until well blended.
-Spread mixture into an even layer in the prepared baking dish.
-Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 16 to 18 minutes.
-Allow brownies to cool in the pan for 20 minutes.
-Meanwhile, puree strawberries and remaining teaspoon of vanilla with a an immersion blender or in a blender.
-Stir strawberry mixture into confectioners sugar until smooth.
-Add extra as necessary to reach consistency of a glaze.
-Add salt and stir.
-Spread strawberry glaze evenly over the cooled strawberry cake.
-Cut into 12 squares and enjoy.
-Refrigerate leftovers. If you have any.

LEMON SHEET CAKE

Back to the 60’s
Jell-O shines again
Perfect for lemon lovers.

INGREDIENTS

-1 (3 oz) package lemon Jell-O
-1 1/3 cups boiling water
1 box lemon cake mix
-3 large eggs
-2/3 cup vegetable oil
-1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
-1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

MISE EN PLACE.

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Grease and flour 9x13” baking pan.
-Stir lemon Jell-O into boiling water in a large bowl.
-Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
-When Jell-O is at room temp, add cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil, and mix with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.
-Spread batter evenly in the prepared baking pan.
-Bake until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean, 30/35 minutes.
-While cake is baking, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl.
-Remove the baked cake from the pan.
-Using a chopstick or straw, poke holes about 1 inch apart.
-Drizzle glaze over the cake.
-Spread evenly.
-Let cake cool completely about 1 hour.

Bake and love the baking. You will love the cakes!
We’re off to the east coast today, a golfing week with Saturday night in Clemson. Good luck to the tigers, LSU TIgers! There’s golf in Augusta and Pinehurst. So I will be spending a lot of wonderful alone time. I’m hoping to find some new, delicious recipe somewhere along the trip. I will be completing next week’s column on the road.
Good luck to our UL Ragin’ Cajuns for a victory in that beautiful new stadium!

Jusqu’a la semaine prochaine!

billielandry@iosinces.com

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4-H Hall Of Fame Inductees: Boudreaux, Couvillon honored by 4-H

Tue, 09/02/2025 - 1:17pm

POLLOCK, La. — Twelve people who have had a lasting impact on 4-H, including two from Vermilion Parish have been honored as 4-H Hall of Famers.
Former Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillon and Johnny Boudreaux, were among the 12 honorees inducted into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony held Aug. 9 at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center in Pollock, Louisiana.
Tara Smith, LSU AgCenter executive associate vice president and director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, opened the ceremony noting that the work the inductees have done over the years has benefited generations of 4-H’ers and has help grow the organization to more 148,000 youth across the state.
“Thank you for the time, talent, money and energy you have put into the youth in 4-H,” Smith said.
]Retired Vermilion Parish sheriff Mike Couvillon attended 4-H camp as a child and hadn’t been back to Camp Grant Walker in decades.
“When I drove up, I recognized the most important building to me in 1963 — the dance hall,” Couvillion said. “Don’t ever change the dance hall.”
Couvillon has been a tireless advocate for Vermilion Parish 4-H throughout his 20 years of public service. A 4-H alumnus himself, Mike began supporting 4-H as a livestock buyer and project leader.
As sheriff, an office he held from 2004 to 2024, Couvillon deepened his impact—donating over $170,000 through livestock purchases, providing vans and deputy labor for transportation, and serving as an auctioneer for major fundraisers. His efforts helped raise over $40,000 for St. Jude through Junior Leader events.
A Master Horseman graduate, Couvillon also led horse clinics and supported the parish Shooting Sports program.
He was instrumental in launching the 4-H ATV Safety Program and consistently judged youth events. His belief in 4-H as a builder of leadership and character is matched by his actions. Whether mentoring youth, securing resources, or volunteering behind the scenes, Mike’s legacy is defined by service, generosity, and a deep commitment to making 4-H thrive in Vermilion Parish.
Boudreaux’s legacy in Vermilion Parish 4-H spans more than five decades of exceptional leadership and support.
A lifelong advocate for agriculture and youth, Boudreaux has served as a Livestock and Horse Project Leader for over 50 years and played a pivotal role in establishing the parish Extension office through the successful passage of a sales tax.
As a leader in organizations such as the Louisiana Rice Research Board and Farm Bureau, he used his influence to advance 4-H initiatives. He conducted horse clinics, served as a regional horse camp instructor, and mentored countless youth. His work with the Vermilion Parish Cattlemen’s Association includes sponsoring a 4-H scholarship, and he has been recognized with multiple awards for conservation, farming, and service.
Boudreaux said he believes 4-H builds character and instills lifelong values in youth. His behind-the-scenes leadership and enduring commitment to the program have shaped generations of 4-H leaders.
The 12 inductees are:
• Johnny Boudreaux, Vermilion Parish
• Rosy Williams Bromell, Lincoln Parish
• Mike Burns, Grant Parish
• Mike Couvillon, Vermilion Parish
• Clint Depew, 4-H State Office
• Raymond Latiolais, St. Martin Parish
• Amy Magee, Jackson Parish
• Judith Ann McKee, Caldwell Parish
• Staci Albritton Mitchell, Ouachita Parish
• Patsy Sonnier, Lafayette Parish
• Darlene Taylor, Cameron Parish
• Steve White, Calcasieu Parish

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Vermilion Parish School district close to having balanced budget

Tue, 09/02/2025 - 1:14pm
Superintendent predicts the district to have a shortfall of $160,000

The news about the operating budget for the 2025-26 school year was mostly positive, as presented by Superintendent Tommy Byler. 
The school district operates with a budget of $93 million. During last week’s school board meeting, Byler forecasted that the budget would be only $160,000 under budget.
“Being $160,000 short of a $93 million budget isn’t bad,” said Byler. “I know other districts projected to be $2 million short.”
The school district has lost around 1,100 students over the last three years, resulting in a reduction of around 40 teachers, compared to three years ago.
Last year’s budget was just over $93 million, and Byler is predicting the number to be around $93 million again for this school year.
Byler said every department trimmed the fat and is operating on a streamlined budget. 
Despite the budget being almost balanced, school board members shared their vision for the future of education. With oil and gas revenue drying up because there are no oil or gas wells on property owned by the school district, and students leaving the public school system at a rapid pace, changes are going to have to be made, three board members said.
School Board member Dr. David Dupuis, who was once mayor of Gueydan, said, “We are going to have to make some tough decisions that are not going to be popular. But we are going to have to make them.”
School Board member Nick Touchet added, “We stopped a lot of bleeding this year. However, we know more is coming.”
Then the dreaded word that no one wants to hear was uttered by a school board member: “consolidation.”
School board member Kibbie Pillette discussed consolidating some schools to save money.
“We may have to look at consolidation,” said Pillette. “You listen to Mr. Byler’s report and hear the number of students who have left the school system,  which is a lot of students.  It is becoming increasingly difficult for the school district to create a balanced budget each year. 
“We are going to come to a point where the money we have is going to get tougher to operate the school system,” Pillette added. “Because of that, we are going to have to fix our school system to operate with the money we have. That may mean closing schools.”

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Abbeville defenders Deylon Joseph (5) and Jazavian Briggs (19) zero in on a Eunice runner for a loss of yards in Thursday’s jamboree.

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Abbeville’s Andrew Payton III hangs on to a Eunice receiver for a tackle.

Eunice too much for Abbeville

Fri, 08/29/2025 - 10:51am

CROWLEY — The Abbeville Wildcats dropped a 24-6 decision to the Eunice Bobcats Thursday night in the Acadia-Vermilion Parish Jamboree at Donald Gardner Memorial Stadium.
 Abbeville head coach Jonathan Zenon was not pleased with his team’s effort, especially compared to last week’s scrimmage against Comeaux, when the Wildcats produced more than 600 yards of offense.
“It was a horrible performance,” Zenon said.  “We came in on our high-horses and came out flat.  We have to do some more soul-searching to find the guys who truly want to play.  We have to find guys who aren’t afraid of the moment. We’ll go back to the drawing board.”
 Eunice took the opening kickoff and drove right down the field.  The touchdown and subsequent two-point conversion put the Bobcats ahead 8-0.  The Wildcats took over, and on their second play from scrimmage, turned the ball over.
The Eunice offense went right back to work, eating clock and methodically marching down the field.  The Wildcats forced two fourth downs on the drive, but the Bobcats managed to convert both en route to a 16-0 lead.  
 “On fourth and less than five, that’s an automatic hard count,” Zenon said.  “We jumped offside.  It was a significant moment that we didn’t fully understand.  We have to work on it.”
On the first play of its next drive, Abbeville turned the ball over again.  The Wildcats ended the first half with three plays, zero yards, and two turnovers.
Abbeville opened the second half with a 62-yard touchdown drive to pull within 16-6.  Quarterback Dazavien Maze connected with Braylon Himel from 34 yards out for a TD. The two point conversion play failed.
 Eunice answered with its third touchdown drive of the game.  On the drive, Justin Montgomery had two carries for 15 yards. The play that set up the touchdown was a 12-yard reception by Jacolby Campbell.
The two-point conversion made it 24-6.  The Wildcats were unable to get any closer.
  Maze completed seven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.  Himel finished with four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown.  Jacolby Campbell had three catches for 19 yards.  Running back Justin Montgomery had 27 yards rushing on five carries.
 Abbeville will be on the road at Washington Marion in week one.  To come away with his first career win, Zenon said it will take everyone buying in.
 “We need our guys to 100 percent trust the process,” Zenon said.  “We can’t have guys going through the motions.  The best players at each position will play, whether they play both ways or not.  It may be only 15 guys instead of 22, but the best players are going to play.”
AHS defensive lineman Zalen Hopkins had two sacks.

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NV's Avery Stutes catches the ball and runs 38 yards for a touchdown.

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Gage Wise fights for rushing yards for North Vermilion.

North Vermilion scores 21 points for jamboree win

Fri, 08/29/2025 - 10:48am

CROWLEY — The North Vermilion Patriots had an impressive first half, leading the Crowley Gents 21-0 at halftime. However, the second half saw some sloppiness in their play.
Despite this, the Patriots secured a 21-0 victory over the Gents on Thursday night in the second game of the Acadiana-Vermilion Parish Jamboree.
This Thursday, the Patriots will kick off the season with an away game against the Church Point Bears, who finished last year’s regular season with a 7-2 record.
NV head coach Roderick Moy stated that the coaching staff will focus on correcting the mistakes made in the second half during practice this week.
“We got sloppy in the second half,” said Moy. “We made too many mistakes. We are not good enough to shoot ourselves in the foot.  If we do not make mistakes, and be us, like we did in the first half, we are good. 
  “I thought we came out and played well in the first half. We were hungry and wanted to play better than we did last week against Mamou.
“We answered the bell this week because this is our last dress rehearsal.”
Things went the Patriots’ way in the first half. On an attempted punt,  the snap was bad, and Justin Romero alertly recovered a fumble.
On the Patriots’ first play after the fumble recovery, Kole Seibold had a 25-yard run that set up the Patriots’ first touchdown. Avery Stutes had two runs for 15 yards and then Gage Wise darted  17 yards for a touchdown with 8 minutes left in the first half.
Kicker Logan Blanchard nailed all three of his extra points in the first half.
The Patriots cashed in Crowley’s three special teams miscues for three touchdowns.
The Patriots regained possession after holding the Gents on four downs, and it would be another mishandling of the ball on a punt attempt by Crowley.  Jaiden Payne tackled the punter to prevent the kick.
Four plays later, then, Stutes trotted up the middle from 10 yards out to score NV’s second touchdown of the night that made it 14-0.
Crowley had another misfortune with special team’s play, and NV’s Tucker Faulk recovered a fumble, giving the Patriots the ball 38 yards from the end zone.
Stutes hauled in a 38-yard pass for a touchdown with 3:02 left before half time.
“We got better from last week to this week. Now we have to take the next step,” said Moy.
NV had 139 total yards. The Patriots rushed for 101 yards.
Leading the Patriots’ rushing was Avery Stutes, who had seven carries for 32 yards. He also scored a running touchdown and a 38-yard reception touchdown.
Gage Wise had four carries for 30 and quarterback Eli Dubois rushed for 16 yards on four carries.

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Delcambre quarterback Lynkon Delcambre

Delcambre airs it out in jamboree win

Fri, 08/29/2025 - 10:43am

DELCAMBRE — The Delcambre Panthers cruised to a 23-0 win over Highland Baptist in the Iberia Parish Jamboree on Thursday.
Backup quarterback Lynkon Delcambre had a big night throwing the football.
He completed five out of six passes for 169 yards and he threw two touchdowns.
Tre Leleux had three of the five catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Tucker Zagar had two receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown.
The Panthers did run the football. Hugo Morales had three carries for 15 yards and Nave Nguyen had four carries for 22 yards and a TD.

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Ken Harrington

Wed, 08/27/2025 - 8:50am

November 16, 1966 ~ August 23, 2025

ABBEVILLE — Memorial services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Ken Allen Harrington, 58, who died Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 at Lafayette general Hospital with his family by his side.
He is survived by his two children, daughter, Lindsey Harrington, son, Alex Harrington and one granddaughter, Avery Suire all of Erath, La.; His friend, Katelyn Tupper and her two children, Laney and Teagan of Abbeville, La.; His Mother, Rita Joyce Harrington of Maurice, La.; His brother, Troy A Harrington and his wife Christie of Maurice, La.; Nephews, Andrew Harrington and his wife Shalon of Maurice, La., Trey Harrington and his wife Megan of Meaux, La. and Christian Harrington and his wife Katie of Denham Springs, La.; Great nieces, Brynn Harrington, Bethany Harrington and Great nephew Zander Harrington.
He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Dale Harrington; Grandparents, Shelton "Black" Touchet Sr., Anastasie Touchet, Carrie Lege Cuvillier and Roy Harrington, Sr.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on August 28, 2025, from 1 p.m. until time of service.
Special thanks to the staff at Lafayette General Hospital for their professionalism and Compassion during the families time of need.

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U.S. Coast Guard recovers body of missing fisherman

Tue, 08/26/2025 - 2:36pm

The U.S. Coast Guard announced Tuesday afternoon that the body of Jimmy Jett had been recovered.
According to reports, Jimmy Jett fell overboard from a fishing boat off the coast of Iberia Parish on Sunday.
Multiple agencies took part in an effort to locate Jett, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the United Cajun Navy, the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

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Erath City Hall

Erath moves one step closer to building its own electrical substation

Thu, 08/21/2025 - 9:58am
Town will have to borrow $1.3 million to pay for it

ERATH — The town of Erath has taken two important steps to reduce the electricity bills that residents have been complaining about for years.
At this month’s August city council meeting, the council voted to introduce an ordinance that would allow the town to approve receiving an $800,000 grant that would be used to purchase LED lighting.
Erath residents pay an added monthly fee on their bill to help cover the town’s electrical bill for street lighting.
Mayor Taylor Mencacci said the LED lights will be paid for with $800,000 from the  Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. Having LED lighting will save the town money because the lights will burn less electricity, which in turn will save the residents money, Mencacci explained.
Then, the council had to approve another introduction ordinance for the town to borrow around $1.3 million to help pay for an electrical substation it will be building over the next 10 months. The total price to build the new electrical substation will be around $3 million. The town is having to borrow $1.3 million and the rest of the $3 million be paid for by a grant.
The Entergy substation is located on Lastie Road (the old La. 14). The town was leasing the land where the Entergy electrical substation is located. When Erath’s new electrical substation arrives, Entergy will remove its equipment and the town will purchase the land from Entergy and will put its new electrical equipment.
By April of next year, Erath should be using its new electrical substation.
 According to Erath Mayor Taylor Mencacci, having its electrical substation would allow the town to buy electricity at a cheaper rate, which is good news for Erath residents. There would be no middleman, he said.
Abbeville residents also do not have a “fuel charge” on their electricity bill. They have a flat rate. When Erath builds its electrical substation, the words “fuel charge” would go away on people’s bills, Mencacci said.
In the past, municipalities like Erath, tried to negotiate the lowest rate possible with companies like Cleco, Slemco or Entergy.
That is where Erath is today. They are shopping around for the lowest electrical rate possible and running into a snag. Large electrical companies are not offering cheaper rates.
“We have to continue this route to lower the cost of electricity for Erath residents,” the Mayor explained to the audience at the end of the city council meeting.

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