Mama's back and cooking up a storm! Or, at least a really confused cookbook. She's brought with her new recipes, friends, kitchen appliances, outfits (who wants to cook in the same old apron) and a thicker accent! What began as a runaway budget title with Cooking Mama has improved tremendously in Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends. Vegetarians beware ... some of the recipes may creep you out.

I remember when the original Cooking Mama burst onto the scene just over a year ago. It was my birthday present! A definite import budget title at $19.99, it nonetheless charmed the socks off of so many of us throughout the world. The premise was simple: Mama had recipes, and you were to attempt them. Each of the steps was simulated, whether it was washing rice, tearing lettuce or simply setting the heat on the oven. Based on your speed and accuracy, you received a score and medal — gold, silver or bronze. At the end, you received an overall score and medal and possibly a new recipe.

Because the original title was nearly a direct port from Japan, the recipes often were odd to those here in the United States — lots of bamboo and squid and things I won't try to pronounce. Of course, there was pizza and hamburgers &mdasah; but those are very Japanese! Also, the number of simulations used to cook, though varied, was limited. Some didn't respond as well as I'd have liked — wow, I spent far too much time trying to peel things.

Success has given Mama a new coat of paint! She's got a new peeler, and it works every time! When whisking, I can choose between long chopsticks and a whisk! And now I find myself squeezing lemons, grinding meat, squeezing pastry ... using a whole new array of new and exciting cooking methods. This time around, they all appear to work, except one. Every time I'm asked to make small circles — removing pieces of sweet potato, ground meat — I can't find a stylus with a fine enough tip the touch pad can recognize. The circles are always too big, and I fail every time! Argh!

Hours, days and weeks into the game, and there appears to be no end to the recipes. In the original, you might make rice, then bamboo rice, then bamboo and pork rice just to keep the variety moving. In Cooking Mama 2, you receive a new recipe each time you qualify. I've made foods as varied as pizza, sea bream carpaccio, lotus root with mustard, churros, escargot and meatloaf! Mama has gone international! Missing from this iteration is the ability to combine recipes; I don't notice it at all, but my kids seem to. Apparently, they liked the idea of ravioli with shark fin soup. *boggles*

As someone who spent many years as a vegetarian and still cringes when I eat food that looks like it did when it was alive, the first time I made Squid Fried Rice, I winced. I know it's a cartoon, but pulling the tentacles off and then stuffing the body with rice freaked me out! Slicing the head off of fish, filleting them and pulling the bones off also made me squeamish. Just a warning if you're weird like I am — it IS only a cartoon! I so need medical help ...

Mama has invited friends over to cook this time, but you'll have to impress them to have them join you. Once you do, they'll be available to cook for. But be warned: They're harsh judges. You can perform exceptionally in every step except the last, and the meal will be inedible — failure! Hang your head in shame!

Why does this matter you may ask? Another addition is the ability to customize the game to your liking. You have to earn this privilege, but it gives the game an extra mile of replayability. As you complete each step in a recipe, you work against a timer. Complete the step before the halfway mark, and you earn a bonus. Earn enough bonus by the end of the recipe (even if the recipe is only a bronze reward), and you will be presented with three presents to choose from — red, yellow and blue. Open a box, and see what's inside! It could be a decal for your diary. It could be a new outfit for Mama or maybe jewelry. I've only received outfits and jewelry — Mama is now a cheerleader in a tiara — from the friends; though, I can't confirm this is the only way to unlock these.

I've reached silver to gold on the recipes I've completed, but I have several I've not attempted. My sons are pushing me toward gold on them all and unlocking presents along the way. Occasionally, we even battle head to head in tests of skill using Mama's utensils. Darn those youngsters' quick reflexes and keen dexterity. I will prevail!

If I had one wish for improvement for the Cooking Mama series, it would be sound. I've come to play with the sound off with both titles. Mama is so repetitive, there's no variety to the music and the sound effects — well, they grate. However, the sound isn't necessary to the play, and the rest of the game is so endearing. I can't think of an age for which this game isn't appropriate. I had my 4-year-old nephew playing it over Thanksgiving just to work on his dexterity. He wouldn't put it down.

Like the first title, Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends has captured my heart and my stomach. I can't recommend it enough to friends, family and burgeoning juvenile chefs. The controls are easy to understand yet not overly simplistic to master. There is always something new to do. The inclusion of presents and friends give it that extra something to keep you playing and playing — Mama needs something other than her pom poms! Now, if only someone would send me a Cooking Mama cookbook!