Festive Finger Food: Ways to Use Christmas Remains into New Year’s Eve Appetizers
What types of bite-sized appetizers can I prepare for New Year’s Eve using my Christmas remaining food that will still seem festive?
Finger food doesn't have to be fancy, so New Year's presents a great chance to clear the decks. The main guideline is to stick to items to just one bite—no one wants to manoeuvre a fork. People are looking for a comforting taste of comfort food with a decadent twist.
Should you possess a bit of cured fish left, place it on mini pancakes and top it with affordable roe. Mini fishcakes are also an ideal choice: If you have remaining fish or flaked salmon, mix it through mashed potato, blend with fresh herbs, citrus, and caramelized onions, then roll in Japanese breadcrumbs and deep-fry.
You could also have a ball with Spanish croquettes. Prepare the white sauce up to days ahead, then use leftover ham, poultry, or foraged fungi for the filling. Whizz stale bread into breadcrumbs to coat them, then fry. Savoury pastry mixtures are another perfect use for those breadcrumbs, or use them as a jacket for chicken pieces. Seasoning-wise, all you need a bit of citrus 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 post-holiday sandwich, and that doesn't have to stop after Boxing Day. Place some ham and turkey in an sealed tub and store in the freezer. While you're at it, set aside some berry relish and honey ham glaze in the fridge. When needed, defrost the meat, then pop it in a preheated oven with the reserved glaze for a short time. Cool and cut into thin pieces, then lay on top of some artisan bread and assemble sandwiches with lots of tangy sauce. Cut into small squares for a winner.
Leftover turkey, meanwhile, could be transformed into a zingy salad. You often have a bit of dark meat left over, and it's perfect for something full of flavour. Shred the meat, then crisp it slowly in a pan, and toss with remaining sauce loosened with lime juice, a spoonful of soy and a little chilli oil. Garnish with fresh herbs and some sliced spring onion, and present in small lettuce cups.
Revamping Leftover Vegetables
Vegetables, meanwhile, can be scrubbed up and ready to party with a big batch of fried potato cake. Combine all your remaining vegetables with fresh herbs, then add salt and pepper and add a binding agent. Stamp out portions to roughly 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 sliced beef and grated horseradish. A word to the wise, though: save a stash for a late breakfast the next day.
