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

Finger food doesn't have to be elaborate, so New Year's offers a great chance to use up what's left. The main guideline is to stick to items to just one bite—guests don't want to handle a fork. People just want a big hug of comfort food with a decadent twist.

Should you possess a bit of smoked salmon left, place it on blinis and crown it with lumpfish caviar. Small patties are also an ideal choice: Whether you've got remaining fish or flaked salmon, mix it through mashed potato, combine with fresh herbs, citrus, and fried leeks, then roll in Japanese breadcrumbs and fry until golden.

You could also have a ball with croquetas. Prepare the white sauce a few days ahead, then use leftover ham, poultry, or foraged fungi for the filling. Blitz stale bread into breadcrumbs to cover 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 citrus zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll taste so much more. As an aside, buttery pastries make excellent 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. Place some holiday meats in an sealed tub and freeze. While you're at it, reserve some berry relish and sweet glaze in the refrigerator. When needed, defrost the meat, then place it in a hot oven with the saved glaze for a brief period. Cool and cut into thin pieces, then arrange on top of some sourdough and start building sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Cut into bite-sized pieces for a surefire hit.

Remaining poultry, meanwhile, could be transformed into a zingy salad. You often have a bit of turkey leg left over, and it's perfect for something punchy. Shred the meat, then crisp it slowly in a pan, and mix with remaining sauce loosened with lime juice, a dash of soy sauce and a little spicy oil. Garnish with chopped herbs and some sliced spring onion, and present in small lettuce cups.

Transforming Leftover Vegetables

Vegetables, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and ready to party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Combine all your remaining vegetables with fresh herbs, then add salt and pepper and add flour. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of small rounds, then store in the icebox. Refresh in a preheated oven for a short time and finish with your choice of topping—perhaps sliced beef and grated horseradish. A word to the wise, though: set some aside for brunch the next day.