Cooking with kids: Jeff Laboon

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Cooking with kids: Jeff Laboon

Thursday, January 11, 2001

Tested by Kathleen Ganster

Age: 10
Parents: Corinne and Walt Laboon
Sibling: Steve, 14
Community: Pleasant Hills
School: Fifth-grader at St. Elizabeth Elementary School, Baldwin
Hobbies: Plays basketball, draws, plasy video games
Favorite food to cook: Toasted cheese sandwiches and bacon
Favorite foods to eat: Grilled cheese and pizza
Favorite subjects in school: Science and computers
Favorite TV show: "The Simpsons"

Jeff created this recipe with the help of his mom and dad. His mother, Corinne said, "Jeff likes sausage and pasta. His dad likes sausage but doesn't like pasta very much. This combination makes Jeff happy, and his dad doesn't mind the pasta when it is made this way. It is easy and it is very good."

Jeff likes to cook with his mom, but he also likes to play in the kitchen by himself. "I'm not allowed to use the stove by myself so I cook with Mom a lot," he said.

He offers this tip for other kids who like to cook:"If you are cooking something in the microwave or on the stove, use mitts. I found that out the hard way when I melted butter and it went on my arm. It really hurt."

Sassy Sausage Springs

1 pound spring macaroni (any brand) 1 jar of prepared spaghetti sauce -- we used (any brand) 1 pound of hot Italian sausage links 1/2 pound shredded mozzarella cheese Salt and pepper to taste

Prepare the macaroni in lightly salted boiling water according to package directions.

While the macaroni is cooking, simmer the sausage for about 7 minutes in 1/3 cup of water and prick it several times to allow some of the fat to run off. Drain the water from the pan and allow the sausage to brown slightly.

Remove from the heat and slice each piece into 1/2 inch circles.

Warm the spaghetti sauce in medium saucepan. When the macaroni is cooked, drain the water from the pot.

Next, add the warm spaghetti sauce and the sausage.

Mix in the shredded cheese and stir.

To submit a recipe to Cooking with Kids, please send the recipe, along with the name of the child, a head shot (preferably a school picture), and a telephone number where the child can be contacted to: Cooking with Kids, Kathleen Ganster, 3142 Camberly Drive, Gibsonia, PA 15044. Questions? Call Kathleen at 724-443-1664.