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What kinds of canapes can I prepare for New Year’s Eve using my Christmas remaining food that will still seem festive?

Party snacks doesn't have to be fancy, so New Year's presents a perfect opportunity to use up what's left. The key rule is to stick to items to just one bite—no one wants to handle a fork. People are looking for a comforting taste of comfort food with a decadent twist.

Should you possess a bit of smoked salmon left, place it on mini pancakes and top it with lumpfish caviar. Mini fishcakes are also just the ticket: If you have leftover smoked haddock or hot smoked salmon, fold it through creamy potatoes, combine with dill, lemon, and fried leeks, then roll in Japanese breadcrumbs and deep-fry.

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 stale bread into crumbs to cover them, then fry. Sausage roll mixtures are another natural home for those crumbs, or use them as a jacket for bite-sized chicken. Seasoning-wise, all you need a bit of citrus zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll taste 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 airtight container and store in the freezer. While you're at it, reserve some cranberry sauce and honey ham glaze in the fridge. When needed, thaw the meat, then place it in a hot oven with the saved glaze for a short time. Cool and slice thinly, then arrange on top of some artisan bread and start building mini sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Cut into small squares for a winner.

Remaining poultry, meanwhile, could be turned 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 fry it slowly in a pan, and toss with remaining sauce loosened with citrus juice, a dash of soy and a little spicy oil. Garnish with fresh 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 fried potato cake. Combine all your leftover veg with fresh herbs, then season and add a binding agent. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of blinis, then keep in the icebox. Refresh in a preheated oven for a short time and finish with your choice of topping—perhaps sliced beef and sharp horseradish. A word to the wise, though: set some aside for brunch the next day.