A snapshot of the Hub-UK menu in December 2000

Back then the internet was a very different place with much more of an amateur feel to it. In a lot of ways it was a pleasanter and more friendly place to hang out. For those of us interested in food and cooking it was a great opportunity to chat and share ideas with people living in other parts of the world.

It was also a time when everyone involved in cooking, whether they were just a keen amateur, a busy mum, a grandmother with a lifetime of kitchen experience or a professional chef just starting a career in the kitchen or one who was an old hand working at the stove, was happy to share recipes so others could enjoy them.

A lot of the details of who contributed what have either become blurred or disappeared over the years but the recipes are still worthwhile either in their own right or for the inspiration they might give.

This is a fabulous side dish for eating with anything grilled or barbecued whether it is fish or meat. It is very easy to prepare and can be prepared in advance and re-warmed or prepared and eaten straight away. All ingredients can be varied according to taste. The recipe is for 3 portions (or 2 if you really like it).

Ingredients

1 tin Italian Chopped Tomatoes
1/4 pt  Double cream or Creme Fraiche
2 teaspoons (4 cloves) crushed garlic
1 Medium onion
1 tsp of Herbes de Provence (or Oregano, etc)
Good pinch sea salt
Black pepper

• Chop onion finely and fry until tender in olive oil.

• Add crushed garlic and fry for another minute.

• Add chopped tomatoes, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

• Add double cream or Creme Fraiche and stir.

• As a variation you can add some mushrooms - put these in with the onions.

• You can cook this dish in advance or just before you want to use it.

Serves 3

Email Hub-UK : info@hub-uk.com