“A good meal, combined with a good story among good friends, is truly the best adventure of all.” Mike & Renee Holen (Creators of Nebraska BBQ sauces and more!)
Determining what to pass along to my readers for my bloGIVErsary was a bit challenging. For one thing, there are SO many great places in Nebraska, not all of them are as easily accessible to all of my readers. I will be doing one Lincoln and one Omaha giveaway in the weeks ahead. But I decided for my other two picks to instead go with a product instead of a place. As my focus is Nebraska, I wanted to feature items that we actually use and enjoy. To find the perfect products this time, I looked to another passion of mine: family!
The Holen Family and Farming
Coming from a family of nine brothers and one sisters, my Maternal Grandmother, Marvel Ellen DeLoris Holen Gustafson was remarkable woman. Growing up, we would gather together with her family around Christmastime. We would celebrate Christ’s birth with a potluck of foods including rice pudding, oostakaka, lutefisk (I passed on that one!) and homemade root beer. As you can imagine, my Mom has LOTS and LOTS of first cousins. At the time, the events seemed rather commonplace. Now that we do not get to attend as frequently, I recognize what a treat those get-togethers really were.
Through the years, we have still seen our Holen relatives at various functions and gatherings. This includes my Mom’s cousin, Mike and his lovely wife, Renee. For 29 years, they raised their five kids on their central Nebraska family farm. The story of how they came up with their farm slogan can be found on their website:
Knowing that farming, much like golf, is a game of skill vs. opportunity, the name and slogan were born: “Holen One Farms – it’s a long shot”.
The Holen One Concessions
In the spring of 1999, they decided to take on a different adventure: the food concession business. For many years they traveled about the Midwest serving their Holen One barbecued foods including steak-on-a-stick and their specialty pork loin. As many people began to inquire about their recipes, they decided to package their marinade. Then eventually they added their BBQ glazing sauce and their Java Rib and Roast Rub. Their products often make an appearance at our family gatherings!
While you may not see them as often driving their food truck about anymore, you can still have them cater your next event. Although like many caterers, they do charge for mileage. To have an event well taken care of is worth it. Their prices are quite reasonable. Plus you are getting homemade Nebraska dining at its finest!
If you do not need food for any events coming up, you can still experience the products of Holen One Farms at home. Need a new grill? Purchase one of their custom built grills – either the Bar-b-cow or the Boar-B-Q.
Not looking for something quite that big? You can purchase any of their three food products online or in several area grocery stores, such as Hy-Vee. Online you can also buy these items in a bigger size! You will definitely want to try their Barbecue Dipping & Glazing Sauce, their Java Rib & Roast Rub and their Holen One Farms Original Recipe Marinade. By the way, all of their products are MSG free. Both their rub & glazing sauce happen to be gluten free! On the Holen One Farms site, you can also find many recipes, including the one posted below with permission.
As you maybe guessed, you can WIN the Holen One Farms Gift Pack that Mike & Renee graciously donated for one of my blog readers. One disclaimer: you need to live in the continental United States to win. I do hope that you will take the time to enter. Speaking from personal experience, you will definitely enjoy the products.
Click here to enter this GREAT giveaway!
I will announce the winner of theses Nebraska BBQ products next week when I let you know about the next giveaway. The winner of the Nebraska State Park Pass was Carla R. Congratulations – I will arrange to get the pass to you soon!
