Are you a leftovers person? If you are anything like this blogger, your answer is a big YES. And if you truly mean it, then Thanksgiving is your Super Bowl. Perhaps there is no bigger leftover feast than what the Thanksgiving meal yields the day after (and the day after that, and the day after that, etc…).

But is a plate of Thanksgiving leftovers best served like revenge? Or do you need to place all that goodness in the microwave? From my perspective, it isn’t one-size-fits-all. I think each Turkey Day leftover item is different when it comes to whether it should be consumed right out of the refrigerator or after it is zapped in the microwave.

How about just three examples?…

Item: Turkey
Brent’s Preference: Hot
Why: If only turkey could be like its Easter counterpart and actually taste better cold. Yep, I have no problem picking ham out of the refrigerator and eating it straight from there. The same can’t be said about turkey. To be honest, I am not a big fan of how turkey smells once the refrigerator door is open and that aroma whiffs out. So to get it out of my mind, I microwave the leftover turkey to bring it back to the temperature it was served at on Thanksgiving day.

My turkey must be warm at all times.

Item: Rolls
Brent’s Preference: Hot
Why: I think a hot roll not only transmits a literal temperature warmth but also a soulful one as well. Although it is tempting and easy to grab a dinner roll and eat it on the run, I prefer to wait the 10-15 seconds it takes to make it piping hot in the microwave. A warm roll feels great in the hands, on your cheek, and of course inside your mouth.

Notice the rolls in the basket in the corner? When I ate one the following day I made sure to heat it up.

Item: Pumpkin Pie
Brent’s Preference: Cold and Hot
Why: I LOVE pumpkin pie. Here at my in-laws’ house in Myrtle Beach I have a pumpkin pie in the fridge that is just for me. Thus, it might not be surprising that I can contently eat it both cold and warm. Ask me for my preference when I am eating a cold slice and I will answer with “cold” and ask me for my preference when I am eating a warm slice and I will answer with “hot.” A cold slice brings out the flavor more and is refreshing while a hot slice delivers the same soulful warmth that a hot roll does. In my opinion, I either choice is golden.

I always enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dessert.

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Do you have a cold/hot preference when it comes to these Thanksgiving leftover dishes or other ones? OR, perhaps the better question: Do you have any Thanksgiving leftovers remaining at all? Happy eating. Don’t Blink.