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What kinds of canapes can I prepare for New Year’s Eve using my Christmas remaining food that will still impress guests?

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

If you have a bit of smoked salmon left, layer it on blinis and top it with affordable roe. Mini fishcakes are also an ideal choice: If you have leftover smoked haddock or flaked salmon, fold it through creamy potatoes, combine with dill, citrus, and caramelized onions, then roll in panko and deep-fry.

You could also have a ball with Spanish croquettes. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use leftover ham, poultry, or foraged fungi for the filling. Blitz stale bread into crumbs to cover them, then cook until crisp. Sausage roll fillings are another natural home for those breadcrumbs, or use them as a coating for chicken pieces. 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 coatings, too.

One favourite thing at this time of year is a post-holiday 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 berry relish and sweet glaze in the fridge. When needed, thaw the meat, then pop it in a hot oven with the saved glaze for a short time. Cool and cut into thin pieces, then lay on top of some artisan bread and start building mini sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Slice into bite-sized pieces for a surefire hit.

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

Revamping Leftover Vegetables

Veg, meanwhile, can be dressed up and ready to party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Combine all your remaining vegetables with fresh herbs, then season and incorporate flour. Cut out portions to roughly the size of blinis, then store in the freezer. Reheat in a preheated oven for a few minutes and top with whatever you like—perhaps sliced beef and grated horseradish. A good tip, though: set some aside for a late breakfast the next day.