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What kinds of canapes can I whip up for New Year’s Eve using my Christmas leftovers that will still seem festive?

Party snacks needn't be fancy, so New Year's presents a perfect opportunity to clear the decks. The key rule is to keep things to just one bite—guests don't want to manoeuvre a fork. People are looking for a comforting taste of comfort food with a luxurious touch.

Should you possess a bit of smoked salmon left, layer it on mini pancakes and top it with affordable roe. Mini fishcakes are also an ideal choice: Whether you've got remaining fish or flaked salmon, mix it through mashed potato, blend with fresh herbs, lemon, and caramelized onions, then roll in panko and fry until golden.

You could also get creative with croquetas. Prepare the white sauce a few days ahead, then use leftover ham, chicken, or foraged fungi for the interior. Blitz old bread into crumbs to cover them, then fry. Sausage roll fillings are another natural home for those crumbs, or use them as a coating for bite-sized chicken. For flavour, just add a bit of lemon zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll sing so much more. As an aside, buttery pastries make superb crumbs, too.

One favourite thing at this time of year is a leftovers sandwich, and that doesn't have to stop after Boxing Day. Get some ham and turkey in an airtight container and store in the freezer. While you're at it, set aside some cranberry sauce and honey ham glaze in the fridge. When needed, thaw the meat, then place 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 artisan bread and assemble mini sandwiches with lots of cranberry 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 turkey leg left over, and it's ideal for something full of flavour. Pull the meat, then fry it slowly in a pan, and mix with remaining sauce thinned with lime juice, a dash of soy sauce and a little chilli oil. Finish with chopped herbs and some sliced spring onion, and present in little gem leaves.

Revamping Remaining Veg

Vegetables, meanwhile, can be dressed up and ready to party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Mix all your leftover veg with herbs, then add salt and pepper and incorporate flour. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of blinis, then store in the icebox. Reheat in a hot oven for a short time and finish with your choice of topping—perhaps sliced beef and sharp horseradish. A word to the wise, though: set some aside for brunch the next day.