Ralph Paulson

My father was a simple man and generally didn’t like fussy ingredients.  Growing up on a farm and ranch the ingredients were fresh and delicious as is so sauces and the like weren’t needed to make them taste great.  He would have been happy with a simple grilled steak and baked potato, but I wanted to put a special dinner together for him based upon what my Dad would consider a great Birthday dinner.  Normally, Dad wouldn’t need an appetizer or salad, but wouldn’t turn one down either.  One thing we both loved was blue cheese dressing and in the later years Dad and I would often sit around talking and munching on carrots and cucumbers that basically were vehicles for eating blue cheese dressing. Therefore I have included a salad he loved that was simply in a bowl and didn’t have the presentation shown.  The only thing missing that he would add to the salad was a little bit of French dressing.  However, pie was a must and it didn’t matter what kind it was!  After lunch or dinner he would sometimes joke “Where’s the pie?”  and sometimes he got a surprise and a pie was served!  Another one of his favorite desserts was Farmhouse Custard and simple favorites – half cantaloupe with a scoop of ice cream, peaches with a tad bit of cream or my Mother’s canned fruit.  Even though I have featured a wine with the menu, Dad maybe would have had a very small glass, an ice cold Bud Light or just water.  A menu dedicated to the loving memory of my father Ralph Paulson.


 Iceberg Wedge with Blue Cheese Dressing


Grilled Sirloin Steak with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms


Creamy Caramelized Peach Pie


Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon (California)

Another of Dad’s favorites that he would request every time I came home to visit was quiche along with a simple side salad for dinner.  His favorite was a Deep Dish Bacon, Ham and Cheese Quiche.

A little bit more about Dad:

As a child, Dad grew up farming and ranching and there wasn’t much question about what he would do when he was grown.  He farmed wheat, oats and barley, and raised cattle, hogs and poultry.  Life was not always easy.  Farmers and ranchers are at the mercy of Mother Nature. And while some years proved to be bountiful, others could be more of a struggle. Each spring and summer there was concern for the crops (and our own personal garden as well); if there would be drought conditions, too much rain, an infestation of insects, or damage from wind and hail caused by severe storms.   Taking care of the livestock is a year round job for ranchers.  I often think of Dad feeding our cattle in a full woolen facemask in sub zero weather and still coming into the house with a frost bitten face.  It was also not unusual to see him carrying in a newborn calf to place in our bathtub, usually if they came early, or a snowstorm came late.   I remember a severe electrical storm that occurred.  Dad went out to check on the hogs, and on his way back into the house, a lightning bolt brought him to the ground.  He had not been directly struck, but he could feel the sizzle of the electricity above his head.  Needless to say, those of us in the house dove under the kitchen table.   When Dad came in, he said, “What the hell are you doing under the table?”  That was Dad, making light of a stressful situation.  However, maybe that was a personality trait he needed to possess to be a farmer and rancher. 

I cannot help but think about the connection that my Dad, and other farmers and ranchers, must have to the land and nature.  I recall a time when I was out for a run on a dirt country road and a storm was brewing in the West.  It created such a beautiful picture of dark blue sky with the contrast of golden wheat rustling in the wind and the sweet smell of rain in the air.  How many times did Dad, in his 60 plus years of farming and ranching, experience these awesome moments, yet kept them peacefully captured in his own mind?  We as consumers can only imagine the hard work, dedication, sacrifice and rewards the family farmer and rancher experiences, each time we go to the store or open our kitchen cupboards.  Therefore, it is only appropriate that I dedicate Chatty Gourmet in memory of my Dad, Ralph Paulson.

One response to “Ralph Paulson”

  1. Susie Griffin says:

    Very nice, Julie. I was thinking about him last night and trying to find that picture. I remember I was there on his 80th with Diane. He had already been in the Hettinger home for a few weeks. Aunt Helen and Mary Lou were also in on the celebration. Diane made that custard, but forgot to bring spoons. Leave it to Aunt Helen to have one in her purse!

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