Holiday Finger Food: Ways to Use Christmas Remains into NYE Appetizers

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

Party snacks doesn't have to be fancy, so New Year's offers a great opportunity to clear the decks. The main guideline is to keep things to just one bite—no one wants to handle a fork. Guests 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 crown it with affordable roe. Mini fishcakes are also an ideal choice: Whether you've got remaining fish or hot smoked salmon, fold it through mashed potato, blend with dill, lemon, and caramelized onions, then roll in Japanese breadcrumbs and fry until golden.

You could also get creative with croquetas. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use leftover ham, chicken, or mushrooms for the filling. Whizz stale bread into crumbs to coat them, then cook until crisp. Sausage roll fillings are another natural home for those crumbs, or use them as a jacket for bite-sized chicken. Seasoning-wise, all you need a bit of citrus zest and aromatic herbs, and they'll taste so much more. As an aside, buttery pastries make superb crumbs, 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 sealed tub and store in the freezer. While you're at it, set aside some cranberry sauce and sweet glaze in the refrigerator. When needed, defrost the meat, then place it in a hot oven with the reserved glaze for a short time. Let it cool and cut into thin pieces, then lay on top of some artisan bread and start building mini sandwiches with lots of cranberry sauce. Slice into bite-sized pieces for a winner.

Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be transformed into a spicy, crisp salad. You often have a bit of dark meat left over, and it's perfect for something full of flavour. Shred the meat, then fry it slowly in a pan, and mix with leftover cranberry sauce loosened with lime juice, a dash of soy and a little spicy oil. Finish with fresh herbs and some green onions, and serve in little gem leaves.

Revamping Remaining Veg

Veg, meanwhile, can be dressed up and ready to party with a big batch of bubble and squeak. Combine all your remaining vegetables with fresh herbs, then add salt and pepper and incorporate flour. 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 sliced beef and sharp horseradish. A word to the wise, though: set some aside for brunch the next day.