🔗 Share this article

What kinds of canapes can I prepare for New Year’s Eve using my Christmas leftovers that will still seem festive?

Party snacks needn't be elaborate, so New Year's offers a perfect opportunity 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 are looking for a big hug of comfort food with a luxurious touch.

If you have a bit of smoked salmon left, layer it on mini pancakes and crown it with affordable roe. Mini fishcakes are also an ideal choice: Whether you've got leftover smoked haddock or hot smoked salmon, fold it through mashed potato, blend with fresh herbs, citrus, and fried leeks, then coat in Japanese breadcrumbs and fry until golden.

You could also have a ball with Spanish croquettes. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use remaining pork, poultry, or mushrooms for the interior. Blitz old bread into crumbs to coat them, then fry. Sausage roll mixtures are another natural home for those crumbs, or use them as a jacket for bite-sized chicken. For flavour, all you need a bit of lemon zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll taste so much more. Incidentally, buttery pastries make excellent coatings, too.

One beloved treat at this time of year is a leftovers sandwich, and that can continue after Boxing Day. Place some holiday meats in an sealed tub and freeze. While you're at it, set aside some cranberry sauce and honey ham glaze in the fridge. When needed, thaw 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 start building mini sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Cut into bite-sized pieces for a surefire hit.

Remaining poultry, meanwhile, could be transformed into a spicy, crisp salad. There’s always a bit of turkey leg left over, and it's ideal for something punchy. Pull the meat, then fry it slowly in a pan, and toss with remaining sauce thinned with lime juice, a dash of soy and a little spicy oil. Finish with fresh herbs and some green onions, and present in little gem leaves.

Revamping Leftover Vegetables

Vegetables, meanwhile, can be dressed up and fit for a party with a big batch of fried potato cake. Mix all your leftover veg with fresh herbs, then add salt and pepper and add a binding agent. Stamp out portions to roughly the size of small rounds, then keep in the freezer. Refresh in a preheated oven for a short time and finish with your choice of topping—perhaps sliced beef and grated horseradish. A word to the wise, though: set some aside for a late breakfast the next day.