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What kinds of bite-sized appetizers can I whip up for New Year’s Eve using my Christmas leftovers that will still impress guests?

Party snacks 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 are looking for a big hug of hearty fare with a luxurious touch.

If you have a bit of smoked salmon left, place it on mini pancakes and crown it with affordable roe. Small patties are also just the ticket: Whether you've got remaining fish or hot smoked salmon, mix it through mashed potato, blend with dill, citrus, and caramelized onions, then roll in Japanese breadcrumbs and fry until golden.

You could also get creative with croquetas. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use leftover ham, poultry, or foraged fungi for the filling. Whizz stale bread into crumbs to cover them, then fry. Savoury pastry mixtures are another perfect use for those breadcrumbs, 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. Incidentally, buttery pastries make superb coatings, too.

One favourite thing at this time of year is a leftovers 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, reserve some cranberry sauce and honey ham glaze in the fridge. When needed, thaw the meat, then place it in a preheated oven with the saved glaze for a brief period. Let it cool and slice thinly, then arrange on top of some sourdough and start building sandwiches with lots of cranberry sauce. Cut into small squares for a winner.

Remaining poultry, meanwhile, could be transformed 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 toss with leftover cranberry sauce loosened with lime juice, a dash of soy sauce and a little chilli oil. Garnish with chopped herbs and some sliced spring onion, 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. Stamp out portions to about the size of small rounds, then keep in the icebox. Reheat in a hot oven for a short time and finish with whatever you like—perhaps sliced beef and grated horseradish. A good tip, though: save a stash for brunch the next day.