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What kinds of bite-sized appetizers can I whip up for New Year’s Eve using my Christmas remaining food that will still impress guests?

Party snacks doesn't have to be fancy, so New Year's presents a perfect chance to clear the decks. The main guideline is to stick to items to just one bite—no one wants to manoeuvre a fork. People are looking for a comforting taste of comfort food with a luxurious touch.

If you have a bit of cured fish left, place it on blinis and crown it with affordable roe. Mini fishcakes are also an ideal choice: If you have leftover smoked haddock or flaked salmon, mix it through mashed potato, blend with dill, citrus, and fried leeks, then coat in Japanese breadcrumbs and deep-fry.

You could also get creative with croquetas. Make the bechamel a few days ahead, then use leftover ham, poultry, or mushrooms for the interior. Whizz stale bread into crumbs to coat them, then cook until crisp. Savoury pastry mixtures are another perfect use for those breadcrumbs, or use them as a coating for chicken pieces. For flavour, just add a bit of lemon zest and thyme, and they'll sing so much more. As an aside, buttery pastries make excellent coatings, too.

One favourite thing at this time of year is a post-holiday sandwich, and that doesn't have to stop after Boxing Day. Get some holiday meats in an sealed tub and freeze. While you're at it, set aside some cranberry sauce and sweet glaze in the refrigerator. When needed, defrost the meat, then pop it in a preheated oven with the reserved glaze for a brief period. Let it cool and cut into thin pieces, then arrange on top of some sourdough and start building mini sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Slice into small squares for a surefire hit.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be turned into a spicy, crisp salad. There’s always a bit of turkey leg left over, and it's ideal for something full of flavour. Pull the meat, then crisp it slowly in a pan, and toss with remaining sauce thinned with citrus juice, a dash of soy sauce and a little chilli oil. Finish with fresh herbs and some sliced spring onion, and present in little gem leaves.

Transforming Leftover Vegetables

Vegetables, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and fit for a party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Mix all your remaining vegetables with herbs, then season and add flour. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of blinis, then keep in the icebox. Reheat in a preheated oven for a few minutes and finish with your choice of topping—perhaps roast beef and grated horseradish. A word to the wise, though: set some aside for a late breakfast the next day.