For decades, moms have told kids not to play with their food. Yet video-game manufacturers might have undermined the edict with a slew of new games that put players in the kitchen -- so to speak.

Many of the new releases for the Nintendo Wii and DS, and for personal computers, are based on cooking and reality shows such as Hell's Kitchen and Top Chef. Others, including Cooking Mama, center on a virtual home kitchen.

With one exception, the games don't teach actual cooking skills. No one, after hours of Iron Chef, will be prepared to apply for a job at Rosendales. Still, most of the games promise plenty of fun.

robin.davis@dispatch.com

Hell's Kitchen

? Cost: $39.99 for Wii, $29.99 for DS, $19.99 for PC

? Concept: Like contestants on the reality show, players learn to work all stations of the restaurant -- serving, preparing, cooking -- under the malevolent eye of the insult-shouting Gordon Ramsay. A multi-tasking ability is crucial.

? Playability/longevity: Excellent. Though easy to learn and understand, it offers tons of challenges. Another bonus: Ramsay recipes such as pumpkin risotto are unlocked as players rise through the levels.

? Comments: The cartoonlike Ramsay character fits perfectly as the evil component in the game -- unlike the TV show, where he seems downright offensive. One drawback: The Wii version doesn't have much punch; the game is better-suited to the DS.

Top Chef

? Cost: $19.99 for PC

? Concept: In no other game do players get to combine different ingredients into delicious -- or odd -- combinations. Each segment has two quick-fire challenges and one elimination challenge.

? Playability/longevity: Excellent. The number of combinations is virtually endless. What's particularly fun is seeing what type of dish the program creates from selected ingredients.

? Comments: Players don't need a gaming system -- just a computer. One negative: Whatever the ingredients chosen by a player, the competing chef always chops, sautes and stirs the same onions, meat and lettuce.

Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine

? Cost: $29.99 for DS, $39.99 for Wii

? Concept: Like Hell's Kitchen and Top Chef, Iron Chef is based on the TV show. Players compete one-on-one against "Iron Chefs" in creating dishes with a secret ingredient. Speed and originality are judged.

? Playability/longevity: Good. The list of dishes and secret ingredients is interesting, but the chopping, slicing and stirring get monotonous.

? Comments: The game has more appeal on the Wii, with players using hand motions instead of just a stylus to prepare the food. The sound should be left on: The music and the chairman's voice are riots.

Cooking Mama: World Kitchen

? Cost: $19.99 for DS, $49.99 for Wii

? Concept: Players take on recipes from throughout the world under Mama's loving guidance. They also cook together and engage in cooking contests.

? Playability/longevity: Good. Clearly meant for children, the game also lets teenagers and adults get a kick out of beginner mistakes.

? Comments: The newer Wii game -- the DS version was released last year -- offers more fun, with movements of the controller causing interesting mishaps. The sound might be turned off: Mama becomes annoying with the constant "You can do it" in her Spanish (or is it French?) accent.

Cake Mania: In the Mix!

? Cost: $29.99 for Wii

? Concept: Players help the baker, Jill, make and decorate cakes for her customers at "out-of-this-world" locations -- from an urban rooftop to Antarctica.

? Playability/longevity: Fair. Fans of the Cake Mania series might like the concept. Still, the journey to reach upgrades and purchases seems too long and repetitive.

? Comments: The game is more for younger children and probably best for anyone who has already bought into the Cake Mania idea.

Personal Trainer: Cooking

? Cost: $19.99 for DS

? Concept: Not a game, the hand-held recipe database includes vocal tips and step-by-step, voice-activated cooking instructions. Users search recipes by ingredient, country of origin or requirements such as difficulty.

? Playability/longevity: Excellent. To new cooks or those wanting to try new recipes, it could offer help for years.

? Comments: Beginners and others who have a tough time following written recipes benefit most. Nothing gets messy during cooking because the program is voice-activated; it also ensures that everything is done in the correct order.

FROM THE COVER

^{CHOCOLATE PECAN SQUARES}

Makes about 48

This recipe is based on one from Gourmet magazine. They are very rich, so small squares are all that's needed.

Crust:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 large egg, lightly beaten

Filling:

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups chopped pecans

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with foil, allowing some foil to hang over the sides of the pan. Butter the foil.

To make crust: Combine flour, sugar and salt in a food processor. Add butter and cut in using on/off turns until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add egg. Process until the mixture forms a dough.

Press the dough into the prepared pan, using floured hands to make the layer as even as possible.

Bake until golden, about 20 to 30 minutes. Maintain oven temperature.

While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. Cream the butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Beat in the flour, vanilla and salt. Stir in the pecans and chocolate chips. Spread the filling over the crust. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes.

Cool completely in pan on a rack. Use the foil to help lift the cookies from the pan. Cut into small squares.

PER SQUARE: 189 calories; 2 g protein; 18 g carbohydrates; 1 g fiber; 13 g fat (5 g saturated); 26 mg cholesterol; 55 mg sodium

^{RASPBERRY SHORTBREAD BARS}

Makes 24

This recipe is based on one from Food & Wine magazine. You can use other jam or preserve flavors, but red jams give the bars a particularly festive look.

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 large egg yolks

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam

Confectioners' sugar for dusting (optional)

Position rack in lowest third of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking dish.

Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.

Beat butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Beat in yolks and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and beat just until a crumbly dough forms.

Crumble half of the dough into prepared pan. Press gently into pan. Dollop jam over evenly. Use a spatula to spread into an even layer. Crumble remaining dough over top.

Bake 15 minutes. Cover with foil. Bake until set and golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes longer.

Cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Cut into bars.

PER BAR: 165 calories; 1 g protein; 22 g carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 8 g fat (5 g saturated); 38 mg cholesterol; 46 mg sodium