SPONSORED: usher in spring with 5 easy bites for outdoor entertaining

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Have you had enough of the cold weather? Thankfully, spring is around the corner! Before inviting guests and planning picnics and braais, pool safety is vital. The pool may be out of action as the weather isn't quite right for swimming yet, but don't leave things to chance. Prevent any accidents from happening with PowerPlastics Pool Covers.

PowerPlastics Pool Covers is dedicated to making pool covers that are safe, stylish and sustainable. They’ll help you pick the right pool cover for your family to ensure your kids and pets are safe. These pool covers also cut down your electricity use and reduce pool-cleaning duties. So, when summer days come around again, your pool will be clean and you won’t have to worry about any accidents happening while it’s unoccupied.

With the pool still out of action, a dazzling menu will keep your guests entertained. All out of ideas? We've got you sorted.

Feeling peckish: Trout skins with easy hummus and spicy labneh 

There's more to snacks than crackers and runny dips. Swap crunchy crackers for crispy trout skin chips and make dips and spreads from scratch. Don't have time? Store-bought will do just fine. Add fresh veg like cherry tomatoes and baby carrots for extra texture and colour on your platter.

Get the recipe for trout skins and dips here. 

Something meat-free: Goat’s cheese-and-baby marrow tarts

When hosting, you want to give your guests special attention. This tart can be made in advance so you can spend as much time as possible socialising before dashing into the kitchen to check on the menu. It's dead easy to make too, simply roll out readymade puff pastry, spread with goat's cheese, scatter over the baby marrows and bake! This also makes an excellent main if you have any meat-free guests coming over. Bulk it up with a side salad to make it a meal.

Get the recipe for goat’s cheese-and-baby marrow tarts here.

The main attraction: Harissa-and-yoghurt chicken pitas

Looking for something a little different for your next braai? These harissa-and-yoghurt chicken pitas are it! The grilled harissa-and-yoghurt chicken is done on skewers on the braai (the oven works just as well) and served with pitas and all the trimmings.

Get the recipe for harissa-and-yoghurt chicken pitas here. 

Don't forget dessert: Chocolate chunk brownie cupcakes

These are the ultimate chocolate cupcakes – they're packed with nuts, melty on the inside and topped with condensed milk ganache. If you don't have a muffin pan, an ordinary baking tin will do but we think the cupcakes will add a special touch to your get-together.

Get the recipe for chocolate chunk brownie cupcakes here. 

Stay hydrated: Fruity punch

Not all cocktails need to contain alcohol. This punch is perfect for hosting a small crowd. Mix and match your favourite citrus or seasonal fruit and top with a sparkling-flavoured drink. Now you don't have to spend the day refilling your guests' glasses – this punch has it all sorted.

Get the recipe for fruit punch here. 

PowerPlastics Pool Covers are made with style, sustainability, and safety in mind. For over 30 years, they have provided homeowners, schools, gyms, and hospitality establishments with aesthetically beautiful, quality pool covers. PowerPlastics is passionate about saving water, electricity, chemicals, and lives—savings that are all easy to achieve by covering your pool with any of their pool covers.

Learn more about how you can cover your pool here.