Holiday Bite-Sized Treats: Ways to Transform Christmas Leftovers into NYE Appetizers

What types of bite-sized appetizers can I prepare for New Year’s Eve using my Christmas leftovers that will still seem festive?

Party snacks doesn't have to be elaborate, so New Year's presents a great 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. Guests just want a comforting taste of comfort food with a decadent twist.

Should you possess a bit of smoked salmon left, place it on blinis 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 dill, citrus, and caramelized onions, then roll in Japanese breadcrumbs and deep-fry.

You could also have a ball with croquetas. Prepare the white sauce a few days ahead, then use leftover ham, chicken, or mushrooms for the filling. Whizz stale bread into breadcrumbs to cover them, then cook until crisp. Sausage roll fillings are another natural home for those crumbs, or use them as a jacket 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, croissants make superb crumbs, too.

One beloved treat at this time of year is a leftovers sandwich, and that doesn't have to stop after Boxing Day. Place some ham and turkey in an airtight container and store in the freezer. While you're at it, reserve some berry relish and sweet glaze in the fridge. When needed, defrost the meat, then pop it in a preheated oven with the reserved glaze for a short time. Let it cool and cut into thin pieces, then arrange on top of some sourdough and start building sandwiches with lots of cranberry 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. Shred the meat, then crisp it slowly in a pan, and mix with remaining sauce thinned with citrus juice, a spoonful of soy sauce and a little spicy oil. Garnish with fresh herbs and some sliced spring onion, and present in small lettuce cups.

Transforming Remaining Veg

Vegetables, meanwhile, can be dressed up and fit for a party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Combine all your leftover veg with fresh herbs, then season and add a binding agent. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of small rounds, then keep in the freezer. Reheat in a preheated oven for a short time and finish with whatever you like—perhaps roast beef and grated horseradish. A good tip, though: save a stash for a late breakfast the next day.