🔗 Share this article

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

Finger food needn't be fancy, so New Year's presents a perfect opportunity 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 are looking for a comforting taste of comfort food with a decadent twist.

If you have a bit of cured fish left, layer it on blinis and top it with lumpfish caviar. Small patties are also just the ticket: Whether you've got leftover smoked haddock or flaked salmon, fold it through mashed potato, combine with fresh herbs, citrus, and fried leeks, then coat in Japanese breadcrumbs and fry until golden.

You could also get creative with Spanish croquettes. Prepare the white sauce a few days ahead, then use remaining pork, poultry, or foraged fungi for the filling. Blitz stale bread into breadcrumbs to coat them, then cook until crisp. Savoury pastry mixtures are another natural home for those crumbs, or use them as a jacket for chicken pieces. For flavour, all you need a bit of citrus zest and thyme, and they'll sing so much more. Incidentally, buttery pastries make excellent 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. Get some ham and turkey in an airtight container and store in the freezer. While you're at it, set aside some berry relish and honey ham glaze in the fridge. When needed, defrost the meat, then place it in a hot oven with the saved glaze for a brief period. Let it cool and slice thinly, then arrange on top of some artisan bread and assemble sandwiches with lots of cranberry sauce. Cut into bite-sized pieces for a surefire hit.

Remaining poultry, meanwhile, could be turned into a spicy, crisp salad. There’s always a bit of turkey leg left over, and it's ideal for something punchy. Shred the meat, then fry it slowly in a pan, and toss with remaining sauce loosened with lime juice, a dash of soy and a little spicy oil. Garnish with chopped herbs and some sliced spring onion, and present in small lettuce cups.

Transforming Leftover Vegetables

Vegetables, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and fit for a party with a big batch of fried potato cake. Combine all your leftover veg with fresh herbs, then season and add a binding agent. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of blinis, then store in the icebox. Refresh in a hot oven for a short time and top with your choice of topping—perhaps sliced beef and grated horseradish. A word to the wise, though: save a stash for a late breakfast the next day.