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

Party snacks doesn't have to be fancy, so New Year's offers a perfect 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. Guests are looking for a comforting taste of hearty fare with a luxurious touch.

Should you possess a bit of smoked salmon left, place it on blinis and crown it with affordable roe. Small patties are also just the ticket: Whether you've got remaining fish or flaked salmon, mix it through creamy potatoes, blend with dill, lemon, and caramelized onions, then coat in panko and fry until golden.

You could also have a ball with Spanish croquettes. Make the bechamel a few days ahead, then use remaining pork, chicken, or mushrooms for the interior. Whizz old bread into breadcrumbs to cover them, then cook until crisp. Sausage roll mixtures are another perfect use for those crumbs, or use them as a coating for bite-sized chicken. For flavour, just add a bit of citrus zest and thyme, and they'll taste so much more. As an aside, buttery pastries make excellent crumbs, too.

One favourite thing at this time of year is a leftovers sandwich, and that doesn't have to stop 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 pop it in a hot oven with the saved glaze for a brief period. Let it cool and slice thinly, then arrange on top of some artisan bread and assemble 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. Shred the meat, then crisp it slowly in a pan, and mix with leftover cranberry sauce thinned with citrus juice, a dash of soy and a little chilli oil. Garnish with chopped herbs and some green onions, and present in little gem leaves.

Transforming Leftover Vegetables

Veg, meanwhile, can be dressed up and ready to party with a big batch of fried potato cake. Mix all your leftover veg with herbs, then add salt and pepper and incorporate flour. Cut out portions to roughly the size of small rounds, then store in the icebox. Refresh in a preheated oven for a short time and top with whatever you like—perhaps sliced beef and grated horseradish. A good tip, though: set some aside for a late breakfast the next day.