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

Finger food needn't be elaborate, so New Year's offers a perfect chance to use up what's left. The main guideline is to keep things to just one bite—no one wants to manoeuvre a fork. People just want a comforting taste of hearty fare with a luxurious touch.

Should you possess a bit of cured fish left, place it on blinis and crown it with affordable roe. Mini fishcakes are also an ideal choice: If you have remaining fish or flaked salmon, fold it through mashed potato, blend with fresh herbs, citrus, and fried leeks, then coat in Japanese breadcrumbs and deep-fry.

You could also have a ball with croquetas. Prepare the white sauce a few days ahead, then use remaining pork, chicken, or foraged fungi for the interior. Blitz old bread into breadcrumbs to coat them, then cook until crisp. Savoury pastry fillings are another perfect use for those crumbs, or use them as a coating for chicken pieces. For flavour, all you need a bit of citrus zest and thyme, and they'll sing so much more. Incidentally, croissants make excellent coatings, too.

One favourite thing at this time of year is a post-holiday sandwich, and that can continue after Boxing Day. Get some ham and turkey in an sealed tub and store in the freezer. While you're at it, reserve some cranberry sauce and honey ham glaze in the refrigerator. When needed, thaw the meat, then pop it in a hot oven with the reserved glaze for a short time. Cool and cut into thin pieces, then arrange on top of some artisan bread and assemble sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Slice into small squares for a winner.

Remaining poultry, meanwhile, could be turned into a spicy, crisp salad. There’s always a bit of dark meat 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 spoonful of soy 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 dressed up and ready to party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Combine all your leftover veg with fresh herbs, then season and incorporate a binding agent. Stamp out portions to about the size of blinis, then store in the icebox. Reheat in a preheated oven for a few minutes and top with your choice of topping—perhaps roast beef and grated horseradish. A word to the wise, though: set some aside for brunch the next day.