The story of the Nebraska cowboy who invented ranch dressing (click the link for a great surprise) [View all]

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20140213/GO/140219399/1181#the-story-of-the-nebraska-cowboy-who-invented-ranch-dressing

Published Saturday February 15, 2014

By Lisa Fischer / World-Herald News Service

YORK — A popular condiment on salads, burgers and sandwiches and a dip for vegetables, pizza slices and deep fried food was developed by a former resident of York County.

Kenneth Henson of Thayer invented Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, which contains buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, herbs and spices. The Nebraska-born cowboy dreamed of striking it rich so he and his wife Gayle (Penner) did what so many before them had done -- head west.

In 1949, Henson went to Alaska for three years to work as a plumbing contractor -- a job that included cooking for his fellow workers. While cooking in Alaska, he refined a recipe for buttermilk dressing.

This dressing became the house dressing at Hidden Valley Ranch, a dude ranch the Hensons purchased near Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1954. For many years they hosted guests from near and far who came to enjoy the ranch and enjoy the meals by Kenneth (who by then changed his name to Steve), Gayle and their staff. Income from the ranch was not enough to keep the 120-acre spread going, so Henson sold 54 acres and more Ranch Dressing to keep their heads above water.

FULL story and photo at link.