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What types of canapes 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 opportunity to use up what's left. The key rule is to keep things to just one bite—no one wants to handle a fork. People just want a comforting taste of hearty fare with a luxurious touch.

If you have a bit of smoked salmon left, place it on blinis and top it with affordable roe. Small patties are also an ideal choice: Whether you've got leftover smoked haddock or flaked salmon, mix it through mashed potato, blend with fresh herbs, citrus, and caramelized onions, then coat in Japanese breadcrumbs and fry until golden.

You could also have a ball with Spanish croquettes. Make the bechamel a few days ahead, then use remaining pork, poultry, or mushrooms for the filling. Whizz stale bread into breadcrumbs to coat them, then cook until crisp. Sausage roll mixtures are another natural home for those breadcrumbs, or use them as a jacket for chicken pieces. For flavour, all you need a bit of lemon zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll sing so much more. Incidentally, buttery pastries make excellent 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 holiday meats 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 refrigerator. When needed, defrost the meat, then pop it in a hot oven with the reserved glaze for a short time. Let it cool and cut into thin pieces, then arrange on top of some sourdough and assemble mini sandwiches with lots of cranberry sauce. Cut into small squares for a surefire hit.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be turned into a zingy salad. You often have a bit of turkey leg left over, and it's perfect for something full of flavour. Pull the meat, then fry it slowly in a pan, and toss with leftover cranberry sauce thinned with lime juice, a dash of soy and a little spicy oil. Finish with fresh herbs and some green onions, and serve in little gem leaves.

Transforming Leftover Vegetables

Vegetables, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and fit for a party with a big batch of fried potato cake. Mix all your leftover veg with herbs, then add salt and pepper and add flour. Cut out portions to roughly the size of blinis, then store in the freezer. Reheat in a preheated oven for a short time and finish with whatever you like—perhaps sliced beef and sharp horseradish. A good tip, though: set some aside for brunch the next day.