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" Worried about the turkey thawing out in time? Wondering whether or not to baste? From prepping to serving, we&amp;#039;ve got your most pressing cooking queries covered.   Q: How big a bird do I need? If you&amp;#039;re buying a whole turkey, figure on 1 pound (uncooked) per person. For a boneless turkey breast, plan on 1/2 pound per person.   Q: Do I really need to baste? Basting can help the turkey brown evenly, but it isn&amp;#039;t really necessary, says Robert L. Wolke, food scientist and coauthor of What Einstein Told His Cook: Kitchen Science Explained. According to Wolke, there&amp;#039;s little evidence that basting makes the bird juicier. In fact, frequent basting (and opening the oven door) lowers the oven temperature and may prolong the cooking time.   Q: What&amp;#039;s the best way to take the turkey&amp;#039;s temperature? Whether you&amp;#039;re using a probe or a standard thermometer, stick it in the thickest part of the thigh near where the turkey breast begins\u2014it&amp;#039;s the last place to reach a safe temperature (about 165\u00B0F).   Q: How long does a turkey need to thaw? Your frozen turkey needs 1 day in the fridge for every 4 pounds of turkey\u2014so refrigerate a 12-pound bird for 3 days.   Still need help? Here&amp;#039;s who to call:   Butterball: 800-BUTTERBALL (800-288-8372) For more than 30 years, operators for The Butterball Turkey Talk-Line have been fielding more than 10,000 calls on Thanksgiving Day alone. They&amp;#039;re also on Facebook and Twitter, where they answer questions within 24 hours.   USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline:800-535-4555 Food safety specialists can speak to everything from cooking times to temperatures to storing leftovers.   Perdue: 800-4PERDUE (800-473-7383) Staffers can answer questions about turkey, from preparation tips to cooking guidelines. Or call any time to hear recorded messages answering the top turkey queries.   ShopRite Chefs On Call: 800-746-7748 During Thanksgiving week, trained chefs take your questions about any recipe.   Ocean Spray Consumer Helpline: 800-662-3263 The Ocean Spray staffers won&amp;#039;t just tell you how to get the cranberry sauce out of the can (actual question), but also offer decorating tips, recipe help for every part of the meal and ideas for leftovers.   Crisco Pie Hotline: 877-367-7438 Betty Crocker: 888-ASKBETTY (888-275-2388) Ask Betty staffers will answer any questions about baking, from what recipes are suitable to make ahead to how to line a pan before baking. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips/tips/a5889/4-common-turkey-questionsanswered-125089/>