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

Finger food needn't be elaborate, so New Year's offers a great chance to use up what's left. The main guideline is to stick to items to just one bite—no one wants to handle a fork. Guests are looking for a comforting taste of comfort food with a decadent twist.

Should you possess a bit of smoked salmon left, layer it on mini pancakes and crown it with affordable roe. Mini fishcakes are also just the ticket: Whether you've got leftover smoked haddock or flaked salmon, mix it through mashed potato, blend with dill, lemon, and fried leeks, then coat in panko and deep-fry.

You could also have a ball with Spanish croquettes. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use remaining pork, chicken, or mushrooms for the interior. Blitz stale bread into crumbs to cover them, then cook until crisp. Savoury pastry fillings are another natural home for those breadcrumbs, or use them as a jacket for chicken pieces. For flavour, just add a bit of citrus zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll sing so much more. As an aside, croissants 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. Place 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, defrost the meat, then pop it in a preheated oven with the reserved glaze for a brief period. Let it cool and cut into thin pieces, then lay on top of some sourdough and assemble mini sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Slice into small squares for a surefire hit.

Remaining poultry, meanwhile, could be transformed into a spicy, crisp salad. You often have a bit of dark meat left over, and it's ideal for something full of flavour. Shred the meat, then crisp it slowly in a pan, and mix with remaining sauce thinned with lime juice, a dash of soy sauce and a little spicy oil. Garnish with chopped herbs and some sliced spring onion, and present in small lettuce cups.

Transforming 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 herbs, then add salt and pepper and incorporate a binding agent. Cut out portions to roughly the size of blinis, then store in the freezer. Reheat in a hot oven for a few minutes and finish with your choice of topping—perhaps sliced beef and sharp horseradish. A good tip, though: save a stash for brunch the next day.