If you find yourself in a holiday cooking jam, the following phone resources might help.
Meat and Poultry Hotline
Information offered: Cooking and handling tips for meat, poultry and eggs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Number: 800-535-4555.
Hours of operation: Call anytime for recorded information. to speak to a home economist or registered dietitian, call from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, year-round. The line will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.
Butterball Turkey Talk-Line
Information offered: Home economists and nutritionists can help you thaw, roast and carve your turkey. They’ll also give advice on storing and using the leftovers. Callers can receive a free recipe pamphlet that contains $3.50 in Butterball coupons.
Number: 800-323-4848.
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday; 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, Friday through Dec. 22.
Reynolds Turkey Tips Line
Information offered: Recorded tips on three ways to roast turkey. Leave your name and fax number or address to get additional information.
Number: 800-745-4000.
Hours of operation: Call anytime through Dec. 31.
Land O’ Lakes Bakeline
Information offered: Home economists give advice to home bakers. Callers get a free recipe and tips leaflet.
Number: 800-782-9606.
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Dec. 24.
Fleischmann’s Help Line
Information offered: Advice to bread bakers.
Number: 800-777-4959.
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, year-round.
Nestle Toll House
Information offered: Baking help and a free recipe collection.
Number: 800-637-8537.
Hours of operation: On Wednesday, the hot line is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; it will be closed Thursday and Friday. Regular hours, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, resume Monday.
General Mills Helpline
Information offered: Staffers troubleshoot baking and cooking problems; provide lost recipes for General Mills products, including Gold Medal Flour and Bisquick baking mix; answer questions about General Mills products.
Number: 800-793-0464.
Hours of operation: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Jan. 13.
ADA Hotline
Information offered: Registered dietitians answer nutrition questions.
Number: 800-366-1655.
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, year-round. Or call 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to hear seasonal recorded messages in English and Spanish. TDD service for the hearing impaired is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Ask Cooking Light
Information offered: This is really two services in one. The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Nutrition Sciences answers questions for Cooking Light readers. The university’s information service also gives brief answers to nutrition questions posed by anyone.
Number: 800-231-3438.
Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, year-round.
