About the Author

Rita Heikenfeld

Starting with the most important, I'm a wife, mom, grandma, aunt and sister to a very large family. My own family includes husband Frank, 3 grown sons and, to date, 11 grandchildren. We live on a little patch of heaven outside of Batavia, Ohio where we raise produce and herbs, and chickens for eggs. We heat with wood that we gather. Professionally, I've had numerous "careers". I'm an herbalist, educator, media personality, speaker, journalist and author. I've published books on kids & adults nutrition, gifts from the kitchen and garden, and herbs. My website abouteating.com reaches people who share their tips, thoughts, recipes and memories. My philosophy is simple. I have a deep faith and believe in the law of abundance: share your talents, encourage others. I love writing for the Countryside group and it's fun to see so many like-minded folks sharing my vision!
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Articles by Rita Heikenfeld

Best Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes
July 31, 2026 · · Eggs & Meat, Recipes

Make the best homemade salad dressings, including a jam jar vinaigrette recipe, blender Italian dressing, and ranch dressing with a Cobb salad recipe perfect for hot summer days.

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Lemon Meringue Pie Without Cornstarch
July 31, 2026 · · Eggs & Meat, Recipes

Make a lemon meringue pie without cornstarch when you use a lemon pudding box mix and an extra yolk for a thick, creamy texture.

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Visting Cake Recipes
May 11, 2026 · · Eggs & Meat, Recipes

Make simple, yummy visiting cake recipes, including Swedish visiting cake, quick German visiting cake, and New York-style crumb cake recipe using pantry ingredients for a quick cake to serve.

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An Easy Quiche Recipe For Entertaining or Everyday
January 28, 2026 · · Eggs & Meat, Recipes

It may sound fancy, but this easy quiche recipe is simple to make and is versatile enough to serve a few or a crowd.

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Italian Castagnole Recipe
August 19, 2025 · · Eggs & Meat, Recipes

Make this Italian castagnole recipe a “doughnut cousin”, deep-fried balls of dough enriched with eggs, sugar, and vanilla.

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Roasted Ranch Chicken Recipe
April 29, 2025 · · Eggs & Meat, Recipes

Ranch dressing mix is blended with seasonings, cheese, and bread crumbs. Then, chicken thighs are brushed with mayonnaise before dredging into the flavorful crumb mixture, producing chicken that’s golden, crisp, and moist.

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Crispy Baked Ranch Chicken Wings
April 29, 2025 · · Eggs & Meat, Recipes

Make crispy baked ranch chicken wings for game day with a recipe for ranch-roasted potatoes, and don’t forget a homemade buttermilk ranch dressing mix for dipping.

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Old-Fashioned Banana Bread Recipe with Cinnamon and Ginger
April 8, 2025 · · Eggs & Meat, Recipes

Overripe bananas aren’t relegated to the trash; they’re essential ingredients in my old-fashioned banana bread recipe with cinnamon and ginger.

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Chai-Spiced Zucchini Bread with Black Walnuts
April 8, 2025 · · Eggs & Meat, Recipes

Try this newfangled, chai-spiced zucchini bread, an old-fashioned quick bread made new again.

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How to Cook Carnitas
March 14, 2025 · · Recipes

Learn how to cook carnitas in a slow cooker or pressure cooker to enjoy on pan cubano bread as a Cuban sandwich.

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