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What types 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 presents a great opportunity 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. People just want a comforting taste of comfort food with a decadent twist.

If you have a bit of cured fish left, layer it on blinis and top it with lumpfish caviar. Mini fishcakes are also an ideal choice: Whether you've got leftover smoked haddock or hot smoked salmon, mix it through creamy potatoes, blend with fresh herbs, lemon, and fried leeks, then coat in Japanese breadcrumbs and fry until golden.

You could also get creative with Spanish croquettes. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use leftover ham, poultry, or foraged fungi for the interior. Whizz old bread into breadcrumbs to cover them, then fry. Sausage roll fillings 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 leftovers sandwich, and that doesn't have to stop after Boxing Day. Place some ham and turkey in an sealed tub and freeze. While you're at it, set aside some cranberry sauce and honey ham glaze in the fridge. When needed, defrost the meat, then pop it in a preheated oven with the saved glaze for a brief period. Let it cool and slice thinly, then lay on top of some sourdough and start building mini sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Slice into small squares for a winner.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be turned into a zingy salad. There’s always 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 mix with remaining sauce loosened with lime juice, a dash of soy and a little spicy oil. Finish with chopped herbs and some sliced spring onion, and serve in small lettuce cups.

Revamping Leftover Vegetables

Veg, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and fit for a party with a big batch of fried potato cake. Combine all your leftover veg with fresh herbs, then add salt and pepper and add flour. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of blinis, then keep in the freezer. Refresh in a hot oven for a few minutes and finish with your choice of topping—perhaps sliced beef and grated horseradish. A good tip, though: set some aside for a late breakfast the next day.