Where did ranch originate in America?

Steven Henson, the Nebraska native who created ranch dressing, invented the now-ubiquitous condiment after moving to Anchorage in 1949 and taking a job as a plumbing contractor in the Alaskan bush, according to a biography of Henson published in the Santa Barbara Independent.

Is ranch a west coast thing?

Ranch was invented by a Nebraskan who began serving it in at a dude ranch in California, but its spiritual home has always been the Midwest .

Is ranch a Midwestern thing?

More than being uniquely American, ranch dressing has become the iconic condiment of the Midwest .

Why are stores out of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing?

Clorox, Hidden Valley's parent company, is dealing with a cyberattack that has affected the dressing's production . So stores for months have had trouble stocking what some people call America's favorite dressing. Other mayonnaise-based dressing brands are available, including at fast food restaurants.

When was the first ranch?

Who Invented Ranch? Around 1950 , Steve Henson unknowingly made history when he whipped up a unique mixture of dry herbs and buttermilk. Originally a plumber, Steve came up with the concoction while working briefly in Anchorage as a construction worker and part-time cook for his crew.

Why do Americans like ranch?

Yes, leafy greens are yummier when they're covered in creamy goodness, but ranch's power doesn't stop there. The unique flavor goes with just about anything, including chips, mozzarella sticks, fried chicken, pork chops, arancini, crispy potatoes, sausages, and more.

What state loves ranch?

Ranch dressing is ubiquitous in Iowa. You'll find it on salads, veggies and alongside French fries and cheese curds — and sometimes even on pizza and tacos. Now, the Hawkeye state's love affair with this tangy, creamy condiment is official.

Why is it still called the Midwest?

Why is it called the Midwest? When the region was first brought into the new nation of the Unites States, it was known as the Northwestern Territories. Later the region's terminology split with the western part of the region being called the Northwest and the eastern part being called the Middle West.

What is the most expensive ranch dressing?

This bottle's no joke. It's covered in 75 carats' worth of jewels, making it valued at $35,000. You could almost buy three brand-new Nissan Versas for that. But Hidden Valley knows you can't put a price tag on love, be it the holy matrimony kind or the condiment-you-drizzle-on-everything variety.

Does ranch seasoning expire?

Ranch dressing mix, when unopened, can typically remain fresh and tasty up to 2 years past the printed date on the package - this is a best-by date, not an expiration date. Once the package has been opened, the mix should be used within 3 months for optimal flavor and quality.

Where is the original Hidden Valley Ranch?

HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH STARTED IN 1954 That's when Steve Henson and his wife, Gayle, purchased 120 acres of sprawling land nestled in the mountains outside of Santa Barbara, California , and started a dude ranch.

Which ranch came first?

Ranch was created by a plumber, Steve Henson and his wife, Gayle. In 1954, they purchased a ranch right above Santa Barbara, California and named it Hidden Valley Ranch . They opened a steakhouse there that became popular for its salad dressing.

Is ranch a Southern thing?

Ranch originally hails from the Midwest , and it never went out of fashion there.

What is the origin of the word ranch?

Ranch comes from the Spanish rancho , first "group of people who eat together" and later "group of farm huts."

Ranch Nation (Published 2018) (2024)

Food|Ranch Nation

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/18/dining/ranch-dressing-history.html

By Julia Moskin

Sept. 18, 2018

As a young republic, our nation embraced the dressings of many lands: Italian, French, Russian and the magical Thousand Islands. But with the creation — and inexorable rise — of ranch, we have forged the one true American dressing.

Invented in the 1950s, ranch is now far and away the most popular salad dressing in the country, according to a 2017 study by the Association for Dressings and Sauces, an industry group. (Forty percent of Americans named ranch as their favorite dressing; its nearest competitor, Italian, came in at 10 percent.) And it has spread far beyond salad.

It is a routine dip for chicken wings, baby carrots, French fries, tortilla chips and mozzarella sticks. It is incorporated into American classics like macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, potato salad and Thanksgiving-turkey stuffing. And it is drizzled over tacos, Tater Tots, casseroles and — perhaps most controversially — pizza.

Unlike, say, Green Goddess or Thousand Island, ranch dressing has inspired fandom beyond food: Sightings include bottles of ranch-flavored soda, ranch fountains at parties, ranch tattoos and memes, even ranch-and-pizza earring sets. It stars in countless videos posted on YouTube by ranch superfans, who pour it on uni, instant ramen, ice cream and more. “Bring me my ranch dressing hose!” commands Homer Simpson, rejecting the sensual attentions of concubines, in a famous dream sequence on “The Simpsons.”

What makes ranch ranch? It’s a combination of creaminess (from buttermilk, sour cream, sometimes mayonnaise) and herbaceousness (often parsley, thyme, dill), plus a long pull of allium (onion and garlic) and a shot of black pepper. Ranch seasoning eliminates the creamy element, making it a dry spice mix like any other, ready to be added to Chex Mix, shaken onto popcorn or mixed into biscuits.

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Ranch Nation (Published 2018) (2024)

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References