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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?

Party snacks doesn't have to be elaborate, so New Year's offers a great opportunity to clear the decks. The main guideline is to keep things to just one bite—guests don't want to manoeuvre a fork. People just want a comforting taste of comfort food with a decadent twist.

If you have a bit of smoked salmon left, place it on mini pancakes and crown it with lumpfish caviar. Small patties are also an ideal choice: If you have remaining fish or hot smoked salmon, fold it through creamy potatoes, combine with fresh herbs, lemon, and fried leeks, then roll in panko and fry until golden.

You could also get creative with Spanish croquettes. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use remaining pork, chicken, or mushrooms for the interior. Whizz stale bread into breadcrumbs to cover them, then cook until crisp. Sausage roll fillings are another perfect use for those crumbs, or use them as a jacket for chicken pieces. For flavour, all you need a bit of lemon zest and thyme, and they'll sing so much more. As an aside, croissants make superb crumbs, too.

One beloved treat at this time of year is a leftovers sandwich, and that can continue after Boxing Day. Get some ham and turkey in an airtight container and freeze. While you're at it, set aside some cranberry sauce and sweet glaze in the fridge. 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 lay on top of some artisan bread and start building sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Cut into bite-sized pieces for a winner.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be turned into a spicy, crisp salad. You often have a bit of dark meat left over, and it's ideal for something punchy. Pull the meat, then crisp it slowly in a pan, and mix with remaining sauce thinned with lime juice, a spoonful of soy and a little spicy oil. Finish with chopped herbs and some green onions, and serve in small lettuce cups.

Revamping Leftover Vegetables

Vegetables, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and ready to party with a big batch of fried potato cake. Combine all your remaining vegetables with herbs, then season and add a binding agent. Cut out portions to roughly the size of small rounds, then store in the icebox. Reheat in a preheated oven for a few minutes and finish with your choice of topping—perhaps roast beef and grated horseradish. A good tip, though: set some aside for brunch the next day.