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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 impress guests?

Party snacks needn't be fancy, so New Year's presents a great chance to use up what's left. The main guideline is to keep things to just one bite—guests don't want to manoeuvre a fork. People are looking for a big hug of hearty fare with a decadent twist.

Should you possess a bit of cured fish left, place it on mini pancakes and top it with affordable roe. Small patties are also an ideal choice: If you have remaining fish or flaked salmon, mix it through mashed potato, combine with fresh herbs, citrus, and fried leeks, then coat in panko and fry until golden.

You could also get creative with croquetas. Prepare the white sauce a few days ahead, then use remaining pork, poultry, or mushrooms for the filling. Whizz old bread into breadcrumbs to coat them, then fry. Savoury pastry mixtures are another natural home for those crumbs, or use them as a coating for chicken pieces. Seasoning-wise, just add a bit of lemon zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll sing 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 can continue after Boxing Day. Place some ham and turkey in an airtight container and store in the freezer. While you're at it, set aside some berry relish and honey ham glaze in the fridge. When needed, defrost the meat, then place it in a hot oven with the reserved glaze for a brief period. Cool and slice thinly, then arrange on top of some artisan bread and start building mini sandwiches with lots of cranberry sauce. Slice into bite-sized pieces for a surefire hit.

Remaining poultry, meanwhile, could be transformed into a spicy, crisp salad. There’s always a bit of dark meat left over, and it's perfect for something punchy. Pull the meat, then fry it slowly in a pan, and toss with remaining sauce loosened with lime juice, a spoonful of soy sauce and a little chilli oil. Garnish with fresh herbs and some green onions, and serve in small lettuce cups.

Revamping Leftover Vegetables

Veg, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and ready to party with a big batch of fried potato cake. Mix all your remaining vegetables with fresh herbs, then season and add a binding agent. Cut 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 sliced beef and sharp horseradish. A good tip, though: set some aside for a late breakfast the next day.