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

Finger food needn't be elaborate, so New Year's offers a great chance to clear the decks. The key rule is to stick to items to just one bite—no one wants to manoeuvre a fork. Guests just want a comforting taste of comfort food with a decadent twist.

If you have a bit of cured fish left, place it on blinis and top it with affordable roe. Small patties are also just the ticket: If you have remaining fish or hot smoked salmon, mix it through mashed potato, combine with dill, lemon, and caramelized onions, then coat in panko and fry until golden.

You could also get creative with Spanish croquettes. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use leftover ham, chicken, or foraged fungi for the interior. Blitz old bread into crumbs to coat them, then fry. Sausage roll fillings are another natural home for those crumbs, 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 superb coatings, too.

One beloved treat at this time of year is a post-holiday sandwich, and that doesn't have to stop after Boxing Day. Get some ham and turkey in an sealed tub and freeze. While you're at it, reserve some cranberry sauce and sweet glaze in the refrigerator. When needed, thaw the meat, then pop it in a hot oven with the reserved glaze for a short time. Cool and cut into thin pieces, then arrange on top of some sourdough and start building sandwiches with lots of cranberry sauce. Cut into small squares for a winner.

Remaining poultry, meanwhile, could be turned into a spicy, crisp salad. There’s always a bit of dark meat left over, and it's perfect for something full of flavour. Pull the meat, then fry it slowly in a pan, and mix with leftover cranberry sauce loosened with lime juice, a dash of soy and a little chilli oil. Garnish with fresh herbs and some sliced spring onion, and present in little gem leaves.

Transforming Leftover Vegetables

Vegetables, meanwhile, can be dressed up and fit for a party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Combine all your leftover veg with herbs, then season and add flour. Cut out portions to about the size of blinis, then keep in the icebox. Reheat in a preheated oven for a few minutes and top with your choice of topping—perhaps roast beef and grated horseradish. A good tip, though: save a stash for a late breakfast the next day.