5 easy patio nibbles for sunny days

Calgary'scrab apple trees and lilacs are finally starting to bloom, coaxing everyone out into their backyards.

On sunny days, restaurant patios are packed, but if you have your own at home, its a perfect spot to gather,and the place spur of the moment gettogethers are often the most likely to happen.

Here are five easy snacks to pull together that require very little cooking time and minimal dishes afterwards.

Marinated goat cheese in garlicky herbed olive oil quickly became my go-to party snack; its perfect any time of year, but particularly great when I have fresh herbs at the ready on my windowsill. Its wonderful with soft, spreadable goat cheese - but would be fab over a chunk of feta too, roasted in the oven or in a small cast iron skillet on the grill. Adapted from Gourmet:

Combine the oil, garlic, pepper and herbs in a small jar; keep in the fridge until youre ready for it, then remove the lid, microwave the jar for 20 to 30 seconds, until the oil is hot, then pour over the goat cheese.

Serve immediately with crusty bread or crackers. Serves eight.

(Julie Van Rosendaal)

You cant get much easier than this. To make warmed dates, heat a generous drizzle of good olive oil in a medium skillet,add as many Medjool dates (the big, juicy ones with the pits you find in the produce section) as you like along with a sprig or two of fresh rosemary.

Heat them through, shaking the pan until they darken in spots and get soft. Transfer to a plate, pour over the warm olive oil overtop and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

These sweet, slightly savoury dates are delicious on their own andeven better with wine and a few chunks of cheese.

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5 easy patio nibbles for sunny days