🔗 Share this article

What types 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 elaborate, so New Year's offers a perfect chance to use up what's left. The key rule 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.

If you have a bit of cured fish left, place it on mini pancakes and top it with affordable roe. Small patties are also just the ticket: If you have leftover smoked haddock or flaked salmon, fold it through creamy potatoes, combine with dill, citrus, and fried leeks, then coat in Japanese breadcrumbs and fry until golden.

You could also have a ball with croquetas. Prepare the white sauce a few days ahead, then use leftover ham, poultry, or mushrooms for the interior. Whizz stale bread into crumbs to coat them, then cook until crisp. Savoury pastry fillings are another perfect use for those breadcrumbs, or use them as a coating for bite-sized chicken. Seasoning-wise, just add a bit of lemon zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll taste so much more. As an aside, buttery pastries make superb coatings, too.

One beloved treat at this time of year is a leftovers 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 cranberry sauce and sweet glaze in the refrigerator. When needed, thaw the meat, then place it in a hot oven with the reserved glaze for a brief period. Let it cool and cut into thin pieces, then lay on top of some sourdough and assemble sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Slice into bite-sized pieces for a winner.

Remaining poultry, meanwhile, could be transformed into a zingy salad. You often have a bit of turkey leg left over, and it's perfect for something punchy. Pull the meat, then fry it slowly in a pan, and mix with leftover cranberry sauce thinned with lime juice, a spoonful of soy and a little spicy oil. Garnish with chopped herbs and some sliced spring onion, and serve in small lettuce cups.

Revamping Remaining Veg

Vegetables, meanwhile, can be dressed up and fit for a party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Mix all your leftover veg with herbs, then add salt and pepper and add a binding agent. Cut out portions to roughly the size of blinis, then store in the icebox. Refresh in a hot oven for a few minutes and finish with whatever you like—perhaps roast beef and sharp horseradish. A good tip, though: set some aside for a late breakfast the next day.