🔗 Share this article

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

Finger food doesn't have to be fancy, so New Year's presents a great opportunity to use up what's left. The key rule is to stick to items to just one bite—no one wants to handle a fork. People 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 top it with affordable roe. Small patties are also an ideal choice: Whether you've got remaining fish or hot smoked salmon, fold it through mashed potato, blend with dill, citrus, and fried leeks, then roll in panko and fry until golden.

You could also get creative with croquetas. Prepare the white sauce a few days ahead, then use remaining pork, chicken, or foraged fungi for the filling. Blitz old bread into breadcrumbs to cover them, then cook until crisp. Savoury pastry fillings are another natural home for those breadcrumbs, or use them as a jacket for bite-sized chicken. For flavour, all you need a bit of lemon zest and thyme, and they'll taste so much more. As an aside, croissants make superb 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 holiday meats 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 refrigerator. When needed, defrost the meat, then pop it in a hot oven with the saved glaze for a brief period. Let it cool and slice thinly, then lay on top of some sourdough and start building mini sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Cut into bite-sized pieces for a winner.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be transformed into a spicy, crisp salad. There’s always a bit of dark meat left over, and it's perfect for something full of flavour. Pull the meat, then crisp it slowly in a pan, and mix with leftover cranberry sauce loosened with citrus juice, a spoonful of soy sauce and a little chilli oil. Finish with fresh herbs and some sliced spring onion, and present in small lettuce cups.

Revamping Leftover Vegetables

Veg, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and ready to party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Mix all your remaining vegetables with herbs, then add salt and pepper and add flour. Stamp out portions to about the size of small rounds, then store in the icebox. Reheat in a preheated oven for a few minutes and finish with whatever you like—perhaps roast beef and grated horseradish. A word to the wise, though: save a stash for a late breakfast the next day.