Edible Paradise celebrates the year-round abundance of the highest quality, freshest food grown on the Central Coast by our family farmers at the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets. If you enjoy preparing and eating locally grown food, this blog is for you!

Although better known as “Ranch” dressing to most, buttermilk dressing is the original name of this American classic developed in 1954 by Gayle and Steve Henson. The couple owned and ran Hidden Valley Guest Ranch, a dude ranch (of sorts) outside of Santa Barbara, where folks came to hike, fish and go horseback riding. It was a favorite hot spot for UCLA and UCSB students in the 50s and early 60s.

The Story Behind Ranch Dressing
In 1949, Steve worked in Alaska as a plumbing contractor in remote areas of the frozen outback with a crew of workers. It was there that he created his dressing concoction to improve the salads and the morale of the men he fed. “It’s tough to feed men in those bush jobs,” Henson said. “If they don’t like something, they’re as likely to throw it at the cook as they are to walk out cursing. I had to come up with something to keep them happy.” His secret? He mixed mayonnaise with buttermilk and whipped it until it had a creamy consistency and added a little seasoning and herbs.

W

hen you think of "olive oil," what geographic area comes to mind? Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal…or California? Most Americans would think of one of these four European countries because they produce 93% of the world's olive oil. You find it surprising that while the golden state produces only a tiny percentage of olive oil for the US market, it produces 99% of all Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) made in the USA.

"California is the dominant player in the EVOO market due to the favorable Mediterranean climate and terroir that favors grapes as well as olives, and olive growers who are committed to producing the highest quality product using the latest equipment and technologies," said Patricia Darragh, executive director of the California Olive Oil Council (COOC). The Monterey Bay Farmers Market is pleased to have two such EVOO growers/producers participating at the markets: Valencia Creek Farms who makes Colline di Santa Cruz and Belle Farms.