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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 seem festive?

Party snacks needn't be fancy, so New Year's offers a perfect chance to use up what's left. The key rule is to keep things to just one bite—no one wants to manoeuvre a fork. People just want a comforting taste of comfort food with a luxurious touch.

If you have a bit of cured fish left, layer it on mini pancakes and top it with affordable roe. Small patties are also just the ticket: Whether you've got remaining fish or flaked salmon, fold it through mashed potato, combine with fresh herbs, citrus, and caramelized onions, then coat in panko and deep-fry.

You could also have a ball with croquetas. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use leftover ham, poultry, or foraged fungi for the interior. Blitz old bread into crumbs to coat them, then cook until crisp. Sausage roll fillings are another perfect use for those crumbs, or use them as a jacket for chicken pieces. For flavour, all you need a bit of citrus zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll taste so much more. As an aside, croissants make superb crumbs, too.

One favourite thing at this time of year is a leftovers sandwich, and that can continue after Boxing Day. Get some holiday meats in an airtight container and freeze. While you're at it, set aside some cranberry sauce and sweet glaze in the fridge. When needed, defrost the meat, then pop it in a preheated oven with the reserved glaze for a brief period. Cool and cut into thin pieces, then lay on top of some sourdough and start building sandwiches with lots of cranberry sauce. Cut into small squares for a winner.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be turned into a zingy salad. There’s always a bit of dark meat left over, and it's perfect for something full of flavour. Pull the meat, then crisp it slowly in a pan, and mix with leftover cranberry sauce loosened with citrus juice, a dash of soy sauce and a little chilli oil. Finish with fresh herbs and some green onions, and present in small lettuce cups.

Revamping Leftover Vegetables

Veg, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and ready to party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Combine all your remaining vegetables with herbs, then season and incorporate flour. Stamp out portions to about the size of small rounds, then keep in the freezer. Reheat in a hot oven for a few minutes and finish with whatever you like—perhaps sliced beef and grated horseradish. A good tip, though: save a stash for brunch the next day.