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What kinds of bite-sized appetizers can I prepare for New Year’s Eve using my Christmas remaining food that will still feel special?

Party snacks needn't be fancy, so New Year's offers a great chance to clear the decks. The main guideline is to stick to items to just one bite—no one wants to manoeuvre a fork. Guests just want a comforting taste of hearty fare with a luxurious touch.

Should you possess a bit of cured fish left, place it on blinis and top it with affordable roe. Mini fishcakes are also an ideal choice: If you have leftover smoked haddock or hot smoked salmon, fold it through mashed potato, combine with fresh herbs, citrus, and fried leeks, then roll in Japanese breadcrumbs and deep-fry.

You could also have a ball with Spanish croquettes. Prepare the white sauce a few days ahead, then use remaining pork, chicken, or foraged fungi for the interior. Blitz stale bread into crumbs to cover them, then cook until crisp. Savoury pastry fillings are another perfect use for those crumbs, or use them as a coating for chicken pieces. Seasoning-wise, all you need a bit of citrus zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll sing so much more. As an aside, buttery pastries make excellent crumbs, too.

One beloved treat at this time of year is a post-holiday sandwich, and that can continue after Boxing Day. Get some ham and turkey in an sealed tub and freeze. While you're at it, set aside some berry relish and sweet glaze in the refrigerator. When needed, thaw the meat, then place it in a hot oven with the reserved glaze for a short time. Let it cool and cut into thin pieces, then lay on top of some sourdough and assemble mini sandwiches with lots of cranberry sauce. Cut into small squares for a winner.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be transformed into a spicy, crisp salad. There’s always a bit of turkey leg left over, and it's perfect for something punchy. Shred the meat, then fry it slowly in a pan, and toss with leftover cranberry sauce loosened with citrus juice, a dash of soy sauce and a little chilli oil. Garnish with chopped herbs and some sliced spring onion, and serve in small lettuce cups.

Revamping Leftover Vegetables

Vegetables, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and ready to party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Mix all your leftover veg with fresh herbs, then season and incorporate a binding agent. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of blinis, then keep in the freezer. Refresh in a preheated oven for a short time and finish with whatever you like—perhaps roast beef and sharp horseradish. A good tip, though: save a stash for a late breakfast the next day.