Washington has its Bush and Mosbacher seniors, but Texas claims the junior versions. The sons of the president and his Secretary of Commerce are active in business and politics here. Rob Junior, an attorney and the president of Mosbacher Energy, is a rising GOP star (for one, he served as finance chairman for the Texas Republican party). He has also taken a turn or two in front of the range. "I find it's very relaxing to prepare a meal from start to finish," Mosbacher says. "I enjoy relatively simple recipes, so you don't have to be a graduate of a fine cooking school to make them."

Regarding this particular recipe, a down-to-earth version of the perennial covered-dish candidate, Rob trumpets its platform with the populist flair of a future campaigner: "Spaghetti and meatballs is something people in this country love." This dish, which was created by the mother of a family employee, is certainly a favorite with all of the Mosbachers. "You'll find it's one of the better sauces," says Mosbacher. "And the meatballs are excellent -- these aren't golf balls."

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Serves 6

Meatballs

3/4 pound ground beef
1/4 pound ground pork
1 cup fine dry Italian bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 sprig parsley
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Sauce

1 onion, chopped
1 can tomatoes (28 ounces)
2 cans tomato paste (6 ounces each)
2 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
1 bay leaf
Pinch cayenne pepper or dash Tabasco sauce (optional)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Spaghetti

8 ounces long spaghetti, cooked
Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

To make meatballs, combine all ingredients, except oil, in bowl, and form into small balls. Brown in oil over medium heat. Remove from pan, and reserve oil.

To make sauce and assemble, add onions to oil in pan, and sauté until soft. Add remaining sauce ingredients. Let simmer about 30 minutes. Add meatballs, and simmer another 10 to 15 minutes to heat through. Serve over spaghetti, and top with Parmesan cheese, if desired.