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What types of canapes can I whip up for New Year’s Eve using my Christmas leftovers that will still feel special?

Party snacks needn't be fancy, so New Year's offers a great chance to clear the decks. The main guideline is to stick to items to just one bite—no one wants to handle a fork. People just want a comforting taste of comfort food 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: Whether you've got leftover smoked haddock or hot smoked salmon, mix it through mashed potato, blend with dill, lemon, and fried leeks, then coat in Japanese breadcrumbs and deep-fry.

You could also get creative with Spanish croquettes. Prepare the white sauce a few days ahead, then use leftover ham, chicken, or foraged fungi for the interior. Whizz old bread into crumbs to coat them, then cook until crisp. Savoury pastry fillings are another perfect use for those breadcrumbs, or use them as a jacket for chicken pieces. For flavour, just add a bit of lemon zest and thyme, and they'll sing so much more. As an aside, buttery pastries make superb coatings, too.

One favourite thing at this time of year is a post-holiday sandwich, and that doesn't have to stop after Boxing Day. Place some ham and turkey in an sealed tub and store in the freezer. While you're at it, set aside some berry relish and honey ham glaze in the refrigerator. When needed, thaw the meat, then place it in a preheated oven with the reserved glaze for a brief period. Cool and cut into thin pieces, then arrange on top of some sourdough and assemble sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Cut into small squares for a surefire hit.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be transformed into a spicy, crisp salad. There’s always a bit of dark meat left over, and it's ideal for something punchy. Shred the meat, then fry it slowly in a pan, and toss with leftover cranberry sauce thinned with lime juice, a spoonful of soy sauce and a little spicy oil. Garnish with chopped herbs and some sliced spring onion, and present in small lettuce cups.

Revamping Remaining Veg

Vegetables, 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 incorporate flour. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of small rounds, then keep in the freezer. Reheat in a hot oven for a few minutes and finish with your choice of topping—perhaps roast beef and grated horseradish. A good tip, though: set some aside for a late breakfast the next day.