EXTENSION REPORT

Holiday "Hot Lines" Offer Helpful Tips 

            You are halfway through mixing up a batch of holiday cookies when you discover you’re missing one of the key spices.  Will a different spice work?

            Your turkey weighs 25 pounds.  How long will you need to roast it?

            What’s a good way to sweeten sweet potato pie for a diabetic?

            If you find yourself stumped by holiday cooking questions, when we at the County Extension Offices are not available, then one of the many cooking hot lines now in operation may be available to help you.  Many food companies open up hot lines, offering help with holiday cooking, baking, or concerns about food safety. Many also offer recipes, free brochures and help online.  Here is a sampling of hotlines available:  (Be sure to clip and save this list).  

American Dietetic Association’s Nutrition Hotline. 1-800-366-1655. Registered Dietitians will answer nutrition questions from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, 24 hours a day through the holidays.

American Diabetes Association Hotline. 1-800-232-3472 Call for help in cooking for a diabetic or to receive free mailed recipes.  Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:00p.m.. Mondays through Fridays, excluding holidays.

Butterball Turkey Talk-Line, 1-800-323-4848: Home economists and nutritionists answer questions and offer assistance on turkey cooking from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. CST weekdays through Dec. 23. 

Fleischmann's Yeast Baker's Help Line, 1-800-777-4959: Staffed by home economists and professional bakers from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. CST, Monday through Saturday except holidays.

General Mills Consumer Response, 1-800-328-6787: Call and get help on using General Mills Products, such as Gold Medal Flour, Betty Crocker cake mixes and Bisquick.  Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Honeysuckle White, 1-800-810-6325: Automated assistance to questions about turkey. Anything through Dec. 31. 

Land O' Lakes Holiday Bakeline, 1-800-782-9606: Home economists answer questions from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. CST daily through Dec. 24.

Reynolds Wrap Turkey Tips Line, 1-800-745-4000.  Call for directions for one of three different turkey-roasting methods and defrosting methods or to order “Turkey Made Easy” a free brochure.  Dates and hours: anytime through December 31st.  

Rhodes Frozen Dough Bake Line, 1-800-876-7333; Questions on working with their dough products are answered from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.  CST weekdays. www.rhodesbread.com

ShadyBrook Farms Dial-A-Chef Holiday Hot Line , 1-888-723-4468; Prerecorded tips for holiday feasts and entertaining from selected chefs across the country as well as wine pairings. Call anytime.

USDA Meat and Poultry Hot Line, 1-800-535-4555: Provides information on food safety concerns 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. CST weekdays.

Email address: cbivins@aces.edu
Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.