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Dawn Simmons
Dawn Simmons is a professional caterer and teaches online catering courses.
Articles & Books From Dawn Simmons
Cheat Sheet / Updated 06-03-2016
You can tap into many resources when it comes to planning meals for your baby or toddler. Babies younger than 2 years old have some special dietary don’ts you need to know about. For recommendations on the types of foods young children should eat, you can consult the food pyramid compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-05-2022
You've committed to having a large group of friends and family over for a meal — but now what? The hardest part about cooking for a crowd is figuring out how much to cook. The quantity you make depends on how many people you're serving, of course, and whether appetizers are pre-meal goodies or the main attraction.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
This very rich and very creamy dessert is perfect for a crowd event. Cheesecake itself symbolizes holiday fun, but this recipe is great year-round. Because they're bite size, they're easy to serve — a big plus!
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cheesecake Bites
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time: 25 to 30 minutes
Chill time: 1 to 24 hours
Yield: 24 servings
1-1/2 cups finely crushed chocolate wafer cookies
1/4 cup butter, melted
2/3 cup, 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
24 chocolate kisses
4 8-ounce packages (32 ounces) cream cheese, softened
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chunky peanut butter
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons shortening
1.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
Dinner can often be a bit of a challenge for children who are 18-months to 2-years-old. Kids that tend to eat an afternoon snack are often uninterested in dinner, but the delicious recipes below help alleviate that problem.
Naturally, dinner is the last meal of the day, providing balanced nutrition for your child before he goes off to sleep, so it's important to work with your child to establish a pattern of healthy meals and healthy snacks.
Article / Updated 06-03-2016
Some certain foods tend to trigger food allergies in children. Don’t get carried away and feed your baby new foods too quickly or feed foods that are known allergens until your baby reaches age 1. A baby’s immature immune system is more likely to react to allergens.
Because these foods typically cause problems with children less than 1 year of age, wait until your kid is older than 1 year old to consider trying any of these items:
Cow’s milk: Many children have allergy problems with cow’s milk.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
Naturally, you may get a lot of conflicting advice, such as Aunt Wanda's persistent instructions to start feeding your baby table food at 2 months old, but the age actually differs. You may wonder when you should begin introducing solid foods and what you should serve. Healthcare professionals overwhelmingly recommend that your baby's first food be rice cereal, which you can start serving around your baby's fourth month.
Article / Updated 06-03-2016
You can make baby food from just about any fresh vegetable or fruit by pureeing them. Homemade baby food purees from fruits and vegetables are easy to make and nutritious. Before you begin cooking, be sure to thoroughly clean the cooking area, your tools and equipment, and your hands.
Prepare the fresh produce by washing, peeling, and removing seeds.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
If you end up with a child who is a picky eater, you can put to work some important tactics as you continue to feed and work with your finicky child. In fact, dealing with selective eaters can be frustrating, and parents often make situations worse by letting their emotions get in the mix.
Be consistent
The key tactic to managing a picky eater is consistency.
Article / Updated 06-03-2016
Doctors have recommended the BRAT diet for years, which helps when a toddler has an upset stomach. With the BRAT diet, you increase your child’s fluid intake and offer foods that naturally help with the problem.
Bananas: Bananas reduce stomach acidity and keep your child’s potassium level in check. Potassium helps regulate the body’s blood pressure.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
Scalloped potatoes are standard side-dish fare, and we don't reinvent the wheel here, because the traditional dish is very tasty. However, this recipe yields enough for a crowd. (In case you're wondering, scalloped means to bake in a casserole with milk or a sauce and often topped with breadcrumbs.)
Scalloped Potatoes for a Crowd
Preparation time: 35 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Yield: 24 servings
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
6 cups milk
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
3 2-ounce jars (6 ounces) diced pimentos, drained
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded provolone cheese
6 green onions, chopped
2-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
12 medium baking potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup breadcrumbs
1.