Panola-Harrison Electric News Pages 6-7 • April 2014 • Vol. 31, No. 1
Co-ops, members prepare for spring and summer storms
Prepare for summer heat, increase energy savings
Adding a few items to your list of spring chores can help make your home more energy efficient and deliver electric bills that won’t make you sweat when temperatures soar. Start with your air conditioner. Spring and early summer are good times to make sure that your air conditioning unit is ready to work when you flip the switch: • Get help from a professional who can inspect and service your unit. • Give your air conditioner a doit-yourself cleaning. Shut the unit off, and clear away leaves and yard debris outside. Inside the unit, clean or replace filters that can restrict air flow and reduce overall efficiency by making the air conditioner work harder on hot summer days. Dust the
fan blades if you can do so safely. Make sure air can flow freely over the inside and outside coils. Vacuum registers to remove any dust buildup. • Check weather stripping. When using window units, ensure that weather stripping is in place. Placement should be between the middle of the top window pane and the bottom pane. Check out your roof. See how well your roof has weathered the winter. Few things can shorten the life of your home faster than a roof leak. Even a minor one can damage your attic insulation before you know it. A roofing professional can repair things like loose or missing shingles, leaks and clear gutters. Make your electric co-op a resource. The energy advisors at
your co-op can help you determine the right steps for your home, including whether an energy audit will help find more savings. You can also visit
TogetherWeSave.com to find out how little measures around the house can add up to big energy savings as temperatures outside climb.
ings. • If in a mobile home, immediately head to a sturdy shelter or vehicle. Mobile homes, especially hallways and bathrooms,
are not safe places to take shelter during tornadoes or other severe winds. • Designate a family meeting place for shelter during and after a storm. If possible, go to your home’s basement, a small interior room, or under stairs on the lowest level. Also, have a battery-operated weather radio handy along with emergency supplies. • Unplug your electronics. Avoid using electrical equipment and corded telephones. • Remember that there is no safe place outside during a severe storm. If you are caught in a storm while on the road, the American Red Cross urges drivers to turn their headlights on, try to safely exit the
roadway, and park. Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt on and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. If thunder and lightning is occurring, avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle. • Move or secure lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants or anything else that can be picked up by the wind and become a projectile. • Stay safe after a storm. Remain indoors at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder. Also, stay away from downed power lines and avoid flooded areas, power lines could be submerged and still live with electricity. Report them to your local co-op.
Storm safety: When thunderstorms and tornadoes strike
Beware. Spring can usher in more than April showers. Now through the summer, thunderstorms can quickly roll in and tornadoes can touch down, often during the afternoon and evening hours, according to researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Severe Storms Laboratory. Follow these tips from NOAA and the American Red Cross to keep you and your home safe when tornadoes and severe thunderstorms come your way. • Prepare for high winds by removing diseased and damaged tree limbs. • Listen to local news or National Weather Service broadcasts to stay informed about tornado watches and warn-
Average Prices for Residential Electricity 2012 figures, in cents per kWh
U.S. Average: 11.9¢ per kWh WA 8.5¢ OR 9.8¢
NV 11.8¢ CA 15.3¢
FEELS BETTER AROUND THE HOUSE SINCE I SET OUR THERMOSTAT TO CHEAP. We ’ r e g o n e m o s t o f t h e d a y. D i d n ’ t m a k e s e n s e t o k e e p a n e m p t y h o u s e c o m f o r t a b l e . B u t n o w w h e n w e g e t h o m e , i t ’s r e a d y. I ’ m s a v i n g $ 2 8 0 a y e a r j u s t b y p r o g r a m m i n g a t h e r m o s t a t . W h a t c a n y o u d o ? Fi n d o u t h o w t h e l i t t l e c h a n g e s a d d u p a t To g e t h e r We S a v e . c o m .
T O G E T H E R W E S AV E .C O M
Page 2 • Louisiana Country • April 2014
MT 10.1¢ ID 8.7¢
UT 9.9¢
AZ 11.3¢
WY 9.8¢ CO 11.5¢ NM 11.4¢
ND 9.1¢
MN 11.4¢
SD 10.1¢ NE 10.0¢ KS 11.2¢
OK 9.5¢ TX 11.0¢
WI 13.2¢
IA 10.8¢ MO 10.2¢ AR 9.3¢ LA 8.4¢
MI 14.1¢
VT: 17.0¢ NH: 16.1¢ MA: 14.9¢ RI: 14.4¢ NY CT: 17.3¢ 17.6¢
PA 12.7¢ OH IL IN 11.4¢ 10.5¢ 11.8¢ WV VA 9.9¢ 11.1¢ KY 9.4¢ NC TN 10.9¢ 10.1¢ SC 11.8¢ GA AL 11.2¢ 11.4¢ MS 10.3¢
ME 14.7¢
NJ: 15.8¢ DE: 13.6¢ MD: 12.8¢ DC: 12.3¢
FL 11.4¢
AK 17.9¢ HI 37.3¢
Residential Average Price (cents per kilowatt-hour)
Under 9.5¢ 9.5¢ to 12.0¢
Over 12¢
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Numbers rounded to nearest tenth of a cent Updated February 2014
Enjoy a safe start to spring by eliminating hazards
As the spring season approaches, many will usher in the warmer weather by thoroughly cleaning their homes and tending to yard work. The Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFI) recommends homeowners ensure that electrical hazards are eliminated along with unwanted dust and clutter. ESFI suggests starting with the basement, an important, but often overlooked space when it comes to home inspection and fire safety. These low-level rooms contain two leading causes of home fires - heating equipment and electrical distri-
bution systems. • Check the label inside the door or cover of your electrical service panel to see when your electrical system was last inspected. If the date has passed or is approaching, contact a licensed, qualified electrician to schedule an inspection. • Be sure circuit breakers and fuses are correctly labeled with their amperage and their corresponding rooms, circuits or outlets. Use correct size and current rating for breakers/fuses. • Increase your fire protection by
having a licensed electrician replace your standard circuit breakers with arc fault circuit interrupters - AFCIs. • Have your furnace cleaned and inspected by a licensed professional. • Make sure all fuel-burning equipment, such as furnaces, stoves, and fireplaces, is vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. • Check for excessive vibration or movement when the washing machine or dryer is operating. This can put stress on electrical connections. • Make sure the area around your
dryer is clutter free and that the dryer lint filter is cleaned after each load. Build up can be a fire starter. • Don’t overlook your basement or attic when it comes to smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. These devices should be installed in these spaces as well as on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. Test to ensure they are in working order. Replace batteries when needed. Visit www.esfi.org for more tips on keeping your home and family safe this spring and beyond.
Louisiana Country Your Cooperative Connection
Formerly Rural Louisiana, founded March, 1950 Vol. 31, No. 1 April 2014
Randall C. Pierce CEO/Publisher Billy Gibson Director of Communications Louisiana Country is published in the interest of members of the electric cooperatives in Louisiana and is the official publication of the following co-ops:
Simply Stunning
Beauregard Electric Co-op, DeRidder Claiborne Electric Co-op, Homer Jefferson Davis Electric Co-op, Jennings Northeast Louisiana Power Co-op, Winnsboro Panola-Harrison Electric Co-op, Marshall, Texas Pointe Coupee Electric Co-op, New Roads South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association, Houma Washington-St. Tammany Electric Co-op, Franklinton
RESIDENTIAL METAL ROOFING
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Advertising is accepted and published in Louisiana Country on the premise that the merchandise and services offered are accurately described and sold at the advertised prices. Louisiana Country and Louisiana’s electric coops do not endorse any products or services promoted herein. Address inquiries and rate requests to: Louisiana Country, 10725 Airline Hwy., Baton Rouge, LA 70816. National Advertising Representatives: NCM, 611 S. Congress, Ste. 504, Austin, TX 78704 (800-626-1181).
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April 2014 • Louisiana Country • Page 3 SimplyStunning_LA_Mueller.indd 1
1/24/14 9:52 AM
The true confessions of a reformed schoolyard bully
It wasn’t my intention to come right out and confess to my wife and children that their husband and father once earned a regrettable reputation as a schoolyard bully. But since my two kids have moved beyond the fairy tale stage of their development and recently found themselves square in the crosshairs of bullies, I thought it necessary to let them know how and why bullying occurs - during the school-age years and beyond - so they could both avoid being bullied and probably more importantly avoid becoming a bully. At the risk of having my parental respect meter spiral downward in their estimation, I figured the best way to hammer this message home would be to give them the benefit of hearing straight from a reformed bully himself. Bolstered by the clarity of hindsight coupled with a few decades of regret and remorse, I described the dynamic that existed back in the 1970s as I set about attempting to stake my claim as grand master of the playground. The ignoble goal of my menacing ways was to gain attention, improve my social status, impress my peers, increase my sense of self-importance and raise my profile by terrorizing some of the more vulnerable members of our elementary school population. Even more deplorable is the fact that in our warped adolescent world more popularity points could be scored if the vitriol were directed at a teacher, or any adult authority figure on the premises. Heck, even the janitor was fair game for hazing. And if that’s not cringe-worthy enough, you could become a bullying legend – revered for years after graduation, that is, assuming you graduated - if
Viewpoint
by Billy Gibson Director of Communications Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives lacountryblog.wordpress.com
you had the nerve to target the principal for abuse. In any event, I came clean with the family, describing the deep insecurity, the sense of inadequacy, the cowardice, callousness and fear that drove my behavior - that drives all such behavior - and how it later came to an end. One of the episodes that curbed my arrogant antics came when I decided it would be cool to taunt a female classmate about her, um, physical development. I gave not a nanosecond of thought about how my idea of poking a little fun would affect this girl, but I was sure being the instigator and getting a few laughs at her expense would result in grabbing the attention I craved. Well, later that night the phone rang. It was the girl’s father calling to speak to my father. Nowadays, that call might just as likely result in the contacted parent immediately taking the side of his dear, sweet, innocent angel, condemning the accusations as baseless, blaming the caller for not raising his daughter to be tough enough, or blaming the victim for being too thin-skinned and unable to take a joke, or for reaching puberty too prematurely, or maybe threatening some kind of cockamamie lawsuit – anything other than bearing responsibility, taking his mischievous son out to the woodshed and teaching him how to behave.
Which is exactly what happened… the woodshed part, I mean. As I was getting “disciplined,” I took careful note that completely absent from the scene and certainly not participating in the pain of my deserved punishment were the kids who just a few hours earlier were joining in by laughing at my cruel one-liners and egging me on to sling more wise-cracking, hurtful insults, those same people whose approval I desperately sought. They were around for the fun and games, but when it came time to face the music I was standing on that old dance floor all alone. The topic of bullying is one we hear about often, especially since we now know the negative effect it can have on victims even years after the fact, to the point of pushing some young people to commit suicide. And, now that technological advances such as the internet and instantaneous worldwide communication are catalyzing unprecedented levels of narcissism across our society, we’ve expanded our understanding that bullying doesn’t occur only in adolescence, only on the playground or only by males. Statistics show, and my own experience confirms, that girls can be just as vicious and mean as anyone else. When more than a few humans are gathered in real time or in cyberspace, and egos and status and control and
power and pride and pecking orders are at stake, that’s a prime breeding ground for bullying to take place. It should also be noted that in many ways we all play a part in the proliferation of bullying. For instance, on these TV reality shows that draw millions of viewers a week, the more crude, nasty, abusive and profane these awful characters are, the higher the ratings. In my view, standing by and watching bullies operate, even applauding and glorifying their cruelty, is almost as bad as doing it yourself. Bullying is also flourishing on the political landscape, which has come to resemble a playground full of incorrigible school children. As the major political parties, ideologues and their shrill media mouthpieces become more polarized, the more they demonize, dehumanize and vilify the opponent. It’s encouraging to see that there are many individuals and organizations pointing out this problem and attempting to do something about it. One such group is the General Council on United Methodist Men, which recently devoted an entire edition of its quarterly magazine to the topic and how men of faith can help curb bullying. As one of those men in pursuit of faith, I believe it begins with looking at myself in the mirror. And as a parent, it begins with making sure my own children aren’t bullying others. So, if you see any member of the Gibson family being abusive, please report it as soon as possible. Remember, tattling is trying to get someone in trouble, but reporting is trying to keep someone out of trouble. And when it comes to staying out of trouble, I need all the help I can get.
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Page 4 • Louisiana Country • April 2014
Co-ops strive for balance of regulation and stewardship Electric cooperatives have been good environmental stewards since their beginnings – living up to the co-op principle of Commitment to Community. After all, the first electric co-ops were primarily in rural areas, serving members who largely made their living off the land. Those members knew the value of clean air, soil and water, and today’s electric co-ops continue to honor that heritage. In just the last decade, power supply cooperatives across the country have invested more than $3.4 billion to reduce emissions and boost efficiency. They are planning billions of dollars more in further upgrades. Cooperatives have always balanced investments in efficiency and the environment with the need to control costs for members. As we have been reporting in this publication over the past few months, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering a series of new environmental standards for coal power plants that potentially could have a devastating impact on the ability of electric cooperatives to provide their members with affordable and reliable electricity. The federal agency is tightening a number of regulations that limit power plant emissions. While complying with all these standards could cost power generation cooperatives millions of dollars, the most pressing issue and the one that could have the biggest impact on co-op members is the proposed rule that will
Co-opCorner
by Randy Pierce Chief Executive Officer, Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives
come out this June on carbon dioxide emissions for existing power plants. Cooperatives are more dependent on coal-fired generation than the rest of the industry. The reason lies in the tumultuous decade of the 1970s that gave us oil embargoes, gas lines, soaring prices and shortfalls. For much of the 1970s, the nation was caught up in a complicated energy crisis that involved disruptions in Middle Eastern oil supplies and a conviction the world was running out of oil and natural gas. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter called on the U.S. to “shift to plentiful coal” to meet its growing energy needs. A year later, Congress went further, passing the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act to block the use of natural gas or oil to generate electricity. Electric cooperatives stepped up to meet the challenge, adding 15,600 MW of coalbased capacity during the natural gas ban. The Fuel Use Act was repealed in 1987, but co-op efforts to help the nation meet its energy needs during a time of crisis have had long-term consequences. About 70 percent of the power generated by co-ops comes from coal plants,
compared to about 37 percent for the industry overall. These coal-fired units still have many years of effective life and cooperatives have already invested significantly to meet EPA regulations. Coupled with other rules now being considered by the EPA, the rule on carbon dioxide emissions could make the continued operation of some plants financially unfeasible. If complying with the standard proves too costly, it may make more economic sense to shutter some units rather than spend millions to comply. Louisiana’s co-ops believe environmental regulation needs to be balanced with a realistic assessment of costs and benefits. The situation is particularly critical with regard to carbon dioxide emissions. The EPA moved to regulate carbon dioxide after the Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that the agency had authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. But many analysts believe the Act was never intended to regulate carbon dioxide. It was enacted to address problems with smog and acid rain for which proven solutions existed. No commercially viable technology yet exists for removing carbon dioxide
emissions from power plants. Still, some environmental groups have been pressing the EPA for regulations that would mandate a 25 percent reduction in carbon emissions, which would require either closing plants or severely curtailing their operations. The EPA’s effort to expand regulatory control of emissions and other operations comes at a time when Congress has been unable to agree on legislation to address the same issues. Capitol Hill observers note the EPA took a more active role on greenhouse gases after Congress failed to pass a “cap and trade” program that would have curtailed the emissions. More recent bills have been introduced to limit EPA’s authority to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, but any legislation faces a very strong uphill fight because Congress is so divided. Electric cooperatives, however, continue to lobby for reasonable solutions to EPA concerns. working with a broad-based coalition to find an effective legislative approach to coal ash disposal. The legislation has received bipartisan support in the House, but faces a difficult road in the Senate. Congress may be paralyzed, but electric cooperatives aren’t. We’re encouraging all electric co-op members to visit www.action.coop and weigh in on this issue. We invite you to send a message to the EPA today and challenge the agency to consider the effects of hardworking co-op members when developing policies for the future.
You can do your part to help stop ‘crape myrtle murder’
The term “crape murder” has been coined to describe the cutting back of crape myrtle trees. Perhaps a little overly dramatic, it is in use by horticulturists across the Southeast. We see crape myrtles being cut back all over the state. Perfectly beautiful trees are being disfigured and deformed for no good reason. In many cases, this annual pruning is needless work that generates huge amounts of trash that ends up in landfills. And it is not healthy for the trees. One way to stop crape murder is to debunk the reasons why it is done. Pruning misconceptions This is the preferred or best way to prune a crape myrtle. Nothing could be further from the truth. In most situations, pruning only to enhance the natural shape is most appropriate. Crape myrtles bloom better when cut back. This is not accurate. The flower clusters may be larger on severely pruned trees. But the added weight on the ends of long branches causes them to bend over awkwardly, especially after a rain. These lowhanging flower heads can create problems and get in the way when a tree is planted near a driveway, sidewalk or path. And since the tree is smaller, it actually produces fewer flower clusters. You can cut back a crape myrtle to change its shape. A wide variety of crape
Get it Growing
by Dan Gill LSU AgCenter Horticulturist myrtle varieties are available today, and as you look around area landscapes you will see great diversity among them. Some grow tall and upright like a vase, while others are shorter and spreading, like a mushroom. These shapes are controlled by genetics. You cannot make an upright-growing crape myrtle grow in the shape of a mushroom by cutting it back. If you want a crape myrtle that will mature in the shape you desire, choose one that naturally grows that way. Young crape myrtles should be cut back to make them look “fuller.” Young trees often appear more spindly than older, wellestablished trees. But this is a matter of age, not something that needs to be corrected with pruning. Young crape myrtles are not supposed to look like older ones. Over time, young trees will attain the full canopies of older trees without drastic pruning. You should cut back a crape myrtle to control its size. If the height of the tree is not causing a problem with a nearby structures, there is little reason to reduce a tree’s
height. To cut a crape myrtle back because “it just seems too large” ignores the fact that these plants are trees. They are supposed to be relatively large. Nobody cuts back redbuds, silver bells, flowering cherries and other flowering trees just because they dared to grow into what they are – small trees. Why do we do it to crape myrtles? Pruning properly To prune a crape myrtle properly, first decide if it needs to be pruned. Have a specific purpose in mind before you begin. In other words, if you can’t come up with a good reason to prune it – leave it alone. If you do see something that calls for pruning, study the tree and determine what needs to be pruned to accomplish that goal. If the problem is one branch is touching the edge of the roof, deal with that branch. Don’t cut back the whole tree. Every crape myrtle will need some pruning in its life to grow properly and fit in well with its surroundings. Over time, branches that are too low will need to be
pruned to raise the canopy to the desired height. We often need to remove weak, thin or vertical shoots from the inner part of the tree to produce a cleaner-looking tree. Branches may need to be pruned back to a side branch or the trunk to create a shapelier tree and to eliminate crossed and rubbing branches. Generally, avoid shortening branches much larger than your finger, though it’s fine to cut larger branches back to a side branch or to the trunk when needed. Of course, you need to prune to remove suckers from the base of the trunk. This is especially important in younger trees. You may also need to redirect a branch’s growth. This can be done by studying the branch carefully and looking for a side branch that grows in the desired direction. Prune back to that branch, and you have redirected the growth of the branch. A common problem is crape myrtles being planted too close to a house – always locate trees at least 10 feet away from the roof line. In situations where trees are close to a house and branches are hitting the roof, branches can be redirected to grow away from or up and over the roof by using this pruning technique. Crape myrtle trees do not deserve to be butchered and disfigured. Help spread the word that cutting them back is not the right way to prune these trees, and maybe crape murder will not be so common.
April 2014 • Louisiana Country • Page 5
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L.O.E. Lower Operating Expense
L.O.E. DOWN
Q
by James Dulley
Dear Jim: My front door is wood with a window and the back door is metal. They are the original ones and neither is very efficient nor airtight. I cannot afford new ones. How can I improve their efficiency myself? - Al R. Dear Al: Energy losses from inefficient entry doors can account for a significant portion of your monthly utility bills. When leaky doors create drafts, people tend to set the furnace thermostat higher. This wastes even more energy. There are ways to improve the efficiency of old doors, but don’t immediately eliminate the possibility of installing new ones. The costs of some wellinsulated steel and fiberglass doors, especially those for the back door without glass, are very reasonable. A pre-hung door in its own frame is not difficult to install yourself. Before making a decision, carefully inspect your old doors. If they are in very bad condition, it will be difficult to improve their efficiency by a meaningful amount. First, make sure the wood door is not rotting. Then place a long straight
Improving the efficiency of older doors
edge across the door to see if it is badly warped. The most common problem with metal doors is rust, not warping. The first place to check is along the bottom by the weatherstripping on either side. Rainwater tends to collect there, and it is not always painted well. If you find small holes rusted through, they can be repaired with car body filler and then painted. First, try to determine the reason water is collecting there and correct the problem. Clean out as much rust as possible and fill with automobile body filler. If the doors are reasonably sound, check for the location of the air leaks. At night, have someone shine a flashlight from outdoors around the seals and check for light indoors. This will highlight significant leaks. On a windy day, move a stick of lighted incense around the seals and watch the trail of the smoke to find the minor leaky areas. Check the astragal on double doors. This is usually the raised half-round overlap where pairs of doors meet and acts as a seal between them. Often with wood doors, especially ones with compression weatherstripping, the main problem is simply the latch plate is not holding the door tightly closed against the weatherstripping. One solution is to reposition the latch plate. This will require filling in the old screw holes and drilling new ones. Chisel away some of the wood in the recess for the latch plate. Another option is to install an adjustable latch plate. You may want to reposition it
for summer and winter as the door and frame expand and contract from seasonal temperature and humidity. Steel doors should feature magnetic weatherstripping, so this is not a major issue because the weatherstripping is drawn against the door edge. Just make sure the surface of the door and the weatherstripping are clean and smooth. Paint on the door edge can sometimes come loose in small pieces and create a gap which leaks air. Check the condition of the hinges, and replace them if needed. If the hinges and pins are worn, the door will not hang square in the opening, and therefore, will not seal properly. There are many different sizes of door hinges, so take an old one along to the store and get an exact match. Don’t just buy the cheapest ones, because there are many to choose from and quality varies. It is almost certain the seal on the bottom of the doors against the floor threshold is worn. If it is not worn, adjust the floor threshold higher. There are several height adjustment screws across the threshold, but after years of use, they may be filled in with dirt. Poke around to find them. If the seal itself is bad, there are many generic replacement seals you can install. Another option is an add-on retractable threshold seal which is effective if carpeting is on the floor by the door. The threshold seal is mounted on the inside surface of the lower door edge. When the door starts to open, a pin against the door frame is released and the seal automatically lifts to clear the carpeting. It is
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Page 8 • Louisiana Country • April 2014
easy to install and adjust. The following companies offer door improvement products: Duck Brand, (800) 321-0253, www.duckbrand.com ; M-D Building Products, (800) 654-8454, www.mdteam.com; Pemko Manufacturing, (800) 283-9988, www.pemko.com, and Thermwell, (800) 526-5265, www. frostking.com. Send inquiries to James Dulley, Louisiana Country, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www. dulley.com.
2.
ABANDONS ALL-OF-THE ABOVE The Administration is reversing course: ditching our All-of-the-Above energy strategy for an All-But-One approach that bans new coal plants.
TECHNOLOGY GAMBLE
New regulations essentially require technology that’s not commercially viable and prohibitively expensive— leading to higher bills down the line.
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GUARANTEED*
L.D. O’Mire
Replaceable vinyl weatherstripping seals well on the hinge side of the door because it gets compressed with little rubbing and wear. Source: Pemko Manufacturing
ABOUT THE EPA’S NEW CLIMATE REGULATIONS
3.
LIMITS ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, DOMESTIC ENERGY By banning new coal plants, Americans forfeit a 236-year domestic source of energy with a historically stable price.
4.
HISTORY REPEATS: ALL-BUT-ONE DOESN’T WORK
A 1978 mandate prevented use of natural gas & forced utilities into coal or nuclear— before common sense prevailed and it was repealed 9 years later.
ACTION.COOP
‘Treatology’ blends different flavors for delicious dessert results
Dessert is an indulgence, and when you delight in the taste, texture and aroma of a decadent sweet treat, you savor every bite. It is easy to get lost in the flavor and fragrance of rich chocolate or creamy caramel. But what happens when chocolate or caramel are paired with different flavors, like salty, sour or savory? Spurred by curiosity, the food scientists in the Wilton Test Kitchen dug deeper into unusual flavor pairings to enhance the taste experience. While the terms “taste” and “flavor” are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. The taste of a food is what the taste buds perceive, while the flavor of a food is the combination of these tastes, plus the aroma and the other sensations. Treatology™ is the science of blending different flavors and tastes to create dishes that are an experience all on their own. Look for more taste, flavor and inspiration at http://treatology.wilton.com. Coffee Toffee Heath Cupcakes • Coffee increases the bitterness of the chocolate for richer, deeper flavor • Toffee adds rich buttery notes and caramelized sugar flavors Cupcakes • 1 cup water • 2 tablespoons instant coffee • 1 package (16.2 ounces) Devil’s Food cake mix • 3 eggs • 1/3 cup vegetable oil Ganache • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream • 2 tablespoons instant coffee • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips • 1 package (8 ounces) English toffee bits Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin pan with baking cups. In a small bowl, combine water and instant coffee; stir to dissolve. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, coffee, eggs and oil. Beat with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl frequently. Then, beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Fill baking cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until toothpick, inserted into the center, comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pan 5 minutes. Remove from pan and place on cooling grid to cool completely. For ganache, combine cream and instant coffee in small saucepan; stir to dissolve. Warm over medium heat until cream begins to steam; do not boil. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Place 1/2 cup ganache in disposable decorating bag. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, create a small hole in the center of each cupcake; pipe in ganache. Dip tops of cupcakes in remaining ganache; lightly shake off excess. Immediately dip cupcake in toffee bits. Pear and Brie Honey Tartlets • Brie has creamy texture and is a soft-
ripened cheese with mild flavor • Honey adds sweetness and balances the cheese flavor • Pear also adds sweetness • Cardamom adds a slight bitter note • 1 sheet (1/2 of a 17.3-ounce box), puff pastry, thawed • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 3 tablespoons honey, divided • 1-1/2 cups diced, peeled firm ripe pear • 1/2 4-ounce wheel, brie, cut into 1/4inch pieces Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare a 24-cavity mini muffin pan with vegetable pan spray. On a lightly floured surface, unfold puff pastry; roll out to about 12 inches x 8 inches. Cut into 24 squares, about 2 inches x 2 inches. Press each square into a prepared pan cavity. In a small bowl, stir together cardamom, salt and 2 tablespoons of the honey. Add pears; toss to coat. Add 1 heaping teaspoon pear mixture to each pastry tartlet. Bake 13 to 16 minutes or until puff pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Immediately top with pieces of brie. Cool in pan 5 minutes. Remove to cooling grid. Drizzle remaining honey over tartlets and serve immediately.
• Cashews add nutty, roasted flavor notes • Salt reduces sweetness and increases the bitterness of the chocolate and butter in the caramel, creating a richer flavor 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (squares or chips) • 12 tablespoons (1-1/2 sticks) butter • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 1/4 cup cocoa powder • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt • 1-1/3 cups granulated sugar • 3 eggs • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • 2/3 cup cashews, chopped plus additional for garnish • 15 soft caramel candies Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare 9-inch x 9-inch pan with parchment paper. In a large saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring to combine. Cool slightly. In a small bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder and salt. Add sugar, eggs and vanilla to chocolate mixture. Stir until well combined. Add flour mixture; stir until just incorporated. Stir in cashews. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 24 to 28 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out nearly clean. While brownies bake,
unwrap caramel candies and roll each one out until it is 1/8 inch in thickness. Cut with medium sized Leaf Cut-Outs cutter. Remove brownies from oven and immediately top with caramel cut outs, arranging in 3 rows of five. Position a cashew on each caramel. Return to oven for 1 minute. Remove from oven. Cool on cooling grid until just barely warm. Cut into 1-1/2-inch x 3-inch rectangles and serve warm or room temperature.
Frozen Greek Yogurt Pops with Pistachios and Raspberries • Greek yogurt adds sour cultured notes and creamy texture • Sourness is balanced by the sweet honey, which contributes floral notes • Raspberries add fruity flavor, which is also slightly floral • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream • 1/4 cup, plus 4 teaspoons honey, divided • 1 teaspoon Wilton Clear Imitation Vanilla Extract • 1/4 cup raspberries • 3 tablespoons chopped pistachios, divided • 4 Wilton 8-inch Cookie Sticks, cut in half In medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, cream, 1/4 cup honey and vanilla until smooth. Place one whole raspberry in the bottom of each Wilton Round Brownie Pops Mold cavity. Cut the remaining raspberries into quarters. To assemble pops, spoon 1-1/2 teaspoon yogurt mixture over raspberry in mold cavity; lightly tap mold against work surface to level. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon pistachios over yogurt and then 1/4 teaspoon honey over pistachios. Repeat, layering yogurt, pistachios and honey, as listed above, lightly tapping mold to level. Add a quartered piece of raspberry; top with remaining yogurt mixture and lightly tap to level. Insert sticks about 2/3 into pop; freeze at least 3 hours or overnight. Sweet and Salty Caramel Cashew Brownies • Caramel gets its flavor from browning sugar, butter and cream; it adds a rich, mouth-filling flavor April 2014 • Louisiana Country • Page 9
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April • 4-6 - Boudin Festival, Scott, City Hall, www.laboudinfestival.com • 4-6 - Cypress Sawmill Festival, Patterson, Kemper Williams Park, 985.395.3720, www.cypresssawmill.com • 4-6 - Kite Fest Louisiana, Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Soccer Complex, www.westbatonrouge.net • 4-6 - Bayou Cajun Festival, Larose, Civic Center, 985.693.7355, www.bayoucivicclub.org • 4-6 - Cyphacon, Lake Charles, Civic Center, www.cyphacon.com • 4-13 • Harvey, Thibodaux, Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 985.446.1896, www. thibodauxplayhouse.com • 5 - Scottish Tartan Festival, Minden, Scotland Farms, 318.393.2693, http://scottishsocietyla.typepad.com • 5 - Cork Wine Festival, Shreveport, Festival Plaza, 318.424.4000, www.corkwinefestival.com • 5 - Union Talent and Music Festival, Farmerville, Davis Recreation Center, 318.957.0741 • 5-6 - Snow White Ballet, Baton Rouge, River Center, www.batonrougeballet.org • 5-6 - Fest For All, Baton Rouge, North Boulevard Town Square, www.facebook. com/pages/FestForAll-Art-and-MusicFestival-Baton-Rouge • 5-6 - UCAP Golf Tournament, Minden, Pine Hills Country Club, 318.218.4909 • 5-6 - Zippity Zoo Fest, Baton Rouge, Greater Baton Rouge Zoo, www.brzoo.org • 6 - Afternoon with Hal Linden and His Band, Shreveport, Strand Theatre, 318.226.8555, www.thestrandtheatre.com • 6 - Music at St. John’s Concert Series, Thibodaux, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 985.447.2910 • 7 - An Evening with Hal Linden, Morgan City, Municipal Auditorium, 985.385.2307, www.morgancitycca.com • 8 - 150th Anniversary Commemoration, Mansfield, Mansfield State Historic Site, 318.872.1474, www.lastateparks.com • 10 - Rick Springfield, Baton Rouge, Manship Theatre, www.manshiptheatre.org • 10 - West Side Story, Shreveport, The Strand Theatre, 318.226.8555, www.thestrandtheatre.com • 10-12 - Railroad Days Festival, DeQuincy, Railroad Museum Fairgrounds, www.larailroaddaysfestival.com • 10-13 - French Quarter Festival, New Orleans, French Quarter, 800.673.5725, www.fqfi.org • 11 - Putt for the Park Classic, Mathews, 300 LaTour Blvd., 985.693.7355, www. bayoucivicclub.org • 11 - Bayou Country Jam, Baton Rouge, River Center, www.brrivercenter.com • 11 - President’s Black Tie Scholarship Gala, Grambling, Hutchinson Performing Arts Center, 318.274.2217, www.gram. edu.
Country Calendar
• 11-13 - Bayou Teche Black Bear Festival, Franklin, Main Street, 337.940.1156, www.bayoutechebearfest.org • 11-13 - Migratory Bird Celebration, Grand Isle, Multiplex Center, 985.787.2997, http://grandisle.btnep.org/GrandIsleHome • 11-13 - Great Louisiana Birdfest, Mandeville, Northlake Nature Center, 985.626.1238, www.northlakenature.org • 11-13 - Louisiana Strawberry Festival, Ponchatoula, 800.917.7045, http://lastrawberryfestival.com • 11-13 - Market at the Mill, New Roads, Old Cottonseed Mill, https://www. facebook.com/pages/Market-At-TheMill/184834184958265 • 11 - 20 - Holiday in Dixie, Shreveport, Festival Plaza, 318.865.5555, www.holidayindixie.com • 12 - Liberty Festival, Tallulah, Courthouse Square, 318.574.4308 • 12 - Blues Festival, Baton Rouge, North Boulevard Town Square and Repentance Park, 225.341.1314, www.batonrougebluesfestival.org • 12 - Joe Woods Wildwood Express Show, Ruston, Dixie Center for the Arts, 318.255.1450, www.dixiecenter.org • 12 - Franklin Catfish Festival, Winnsboro, www.franklinparishcatfishfestival.com • 12 - Downtown Crawfish Festival, Lake Charles, Civic Center, http://downtowncrawfest.com • 13 - Old Fashioned Easter Celebration, Baton Rouge, Rural Life Museum, http:// rurallife.lsu.edu 17-19 - Great Southern Spring Bluegrass Event, Angie, Great Southern RV Park, 985.516.4680, www. greatsouthernbluegrassevent.com • 17-20 - Catfish Festival, Washington, festival grounds, 337.826.3627 • 18-20 - Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days, 20550 Hwy. 9, Arcadia, 318.263.2437, www.bonnieandclydetradedays.com • 18-19 - Corney Creek Great Outdoors Festival, Bernice, downtown, 318.368.5300 • 18-19 - Mud Truck Madness, Negreet, Negreet Mud Pits, 800.259.5253, www. toledobendlakecountry.com • 19 - Anglers Royale, New Orleans, French Market, 504.251.0113 • 19 - Spring Bloom Celebration, Shreveport, American Rose Center, www.ars.org • 19 - Spring Fling, Florien, Hodges Gardens State Park, 800.354.3523, www.lastateparks.com • 20 - Easter Sunrise Service, Florien, Hodges Gardens State Park, 800.354.3523, www.lastateparks.com • 21-27 - Zurich Classic, Avondale, TPC Louisiana, http://zurichgolfclassic.com • 23-27 - Festival International De Louisiane, Lafayette, downtown, 337.232.8086, www.festivalinternational.com • 25-26 - Chockaw Apache Pow Wow, Zwolle, Tribal Office Grounds, 318.645.2588, www.toledobendlakecountry.com
• 25-27 - Etoufee Festival, Arnaudville, St. John Francis Regis Church, 337.754.5912, www.johnfrancisregis.net • 25-27 - Italian Festival, Tickfaw, Our Lady of Pompeii Baseball Field, 800.542.7520, www.theitalianfestivalorg.com • 25-May 4 - Jazz and Heritage Festival, New Orleans, Racetrack Fairgrounds, www.nojazzfest.com • 26 - Trails and Trellises Garden Tour. Minden, various locations, 318.371.2586 • 26 - Chickenstock, Minden, The Farm, 318.393.5991, www.artsinminden.com • 26-27 - Cajun Woodstock, Church Point, Community Center, 337.280.8710, www. cajunwoodstock.com • 26-27 - Spring Rodeo, Angola, Louisiana State Penitentiary, 225.655.2030, www. angolarodeo.com • 26-27 - Bayou Outdoor and Adventure Festival, Houma, Civic Center, 985.381.1490, www.facebook.com/bayououtdoorexpo • 26-27 - Antique Street Fair, Slidell, 985.641.6316, www.slidellantiques.com • 27 - Blessing of the Fleet Boat Parade, Golden Meadow, Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, 985.475.5428 • 27 - Fancy Nancy, Baton Rouge, Manship Theatre, www.manshiptheatre.org • 27 - Spring Festival, Thibodaux, Laurel Valley Village Sugar Plantation, 985.446.7456 • 29-May 11 - Contraband Days, Lake Charles, www.contrabanddays.com • 30-May 3 - Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ruston, Stone Theatre, http://latechuniversitytheatre.com MAY • 1-4 - All Because of Agatha, Ruston, Dixie Center for the Arts, 318.255.1450, www. rct.org • 1-4 - Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament on Toledo Bend, Many, Cypress Bend
Park, 318.256.4118, www.toledobendlakecountry.com • 1-4 - Firemens’ Fair and Parade, Thibodaux, Firemen’s Fairgrounds, 985.446.3247, www.thibfiredept.org • 2-3 - Antique Tractor, Engine and Truck Show, Franklinton, fairgrounds, 985.732.3950, www.ihc31.com • 2-3 - El Camino Real De Los Tejas Sale on the Trail, Many, La. Highway 6, 800.259.5253, www.toledobendlakecountry.com • 2-3 - Mayfest, Leesville, downtown, 800.349.6287, www.venturevernon.com • 2-4 - Crawfish Festival, Breaux Bridge, Parc Hardy, 337.332.6655, www.bbcrawfest.com • 3 - Cinco De Mayo, Shreveport, Festival Plaza, 318.673.5100 • 3 - Sawmill Festival, Heflin, downtown, 318.377.7539 • 3 - Krewe Des Ambassadeurs Golf Tournament, Minden, Pine Hills Country Club, 318.382.2150 • 3 - Spring Garden Scroll, St. Francisville, various locations, 225.635.3614 • 3 - Vince: The Life and Times of Vince Lombardi, Shreveport, Strand Theatre, www.thestrandtheatre.com • 3-June 30 - Farmers Market at the Farm, Minden, The Farm, www.artsinminden. com/farmersmarket • 3-4 - Arts and Crafts Festival, Melrose Plantation, www.natchitoches.com • 3-4 - Dean Brown Archery Sywat Invitational, Shreveport, Red River Bowmen Archery Club, 318.572.6102, http://redriverbowmenarcheryclub.com • 3-4 - Xterra Rustman Challenge Weekend, Ruston, Lincoln Parish Park, 870.246.6686, http://www.dltevents.com/ on-road-events/292-xterra-mid-sounthcentral.html
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April 2014 • Louisiana Country • Page 11
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