Description: Dry powdered mix for making two cups of dip tailored for potato chips, french fries or raw veggies

Preparation summary: Mix contents with 16 ounces of sour cream and refrigerate for one hour prior to serving.

High points: The green onion flavor is pleasantly teasing without being too salty. Compared to other powdered dips by Lay’s (ranch and toasted onion), this one squarely earns more compliments at parties and picnics.

Low points: Beware of those guests who finger-swipe the bowl when your chip supply runs low. I guarantee they’ll leave tracks in this dip.

Average retail price: $1.49

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Vacuum-packed, steamed brown lentils contained in a 17.63-ounce plastic pouch

Preparation summary: Eat hot or cold.

High points: The lentils are pre-steamed to a balanced consistency with soft skins and semi-firm, protein-rich centers. They’re filling and notably delicious when heated and then drizzled with olive oil.

Low points: They look like freshly killed tiny snails at a glance.

Average retail price: $2.69

Availability: Trader Joe’s

Description: Two small chocolate cakes, frozen and individually wrapped, and topped with milk chocolate fudge sauce and chocolate curls

Preparation summary: Thaw for one hour at room temperature or microwave on high for 10 seconds.

High points: Your chocolate wish is half fulfilled if you scrape off the fudge sauce topping, which is good and gooey.

Low points: At 220 calories per serving, the unusually dense cake is pitifully dry and makes Entenmann’s chocolate cake look like a pastry contest winner.

Average retail price: $2.39

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: New “fruit water” product by Tropicana, available also in lime-raspberry. Comes in 20-ounce plastic bottles and contains the artificial sweeter sucralose (Splenda).

Preparation summary: Ready to drink

High points: Only 20 calories per 8-ounce serving and low in carbs

Low points: Only those palates accustomed to scads of artificial sweeteners will find the tangerine flavor convincing. Is it just me, or do products containing Splenda really make us more thirsty?

Average retail price: $1.29

Availability: Major grocery stores