Description: Frozen cooked beef tips in “Kentucky bourbon sauce” with cheddar-ranch mashed potatoes

Preparation summary: Cook on 50 percent power in the microwave for 13 minutes, or on a baking sheet in a 350-degree oven for 40-42 minutes.

High points: None

Low points: Stouffer’s usually does better than this. Meal contains double the amount of mashed potatoes compared to the scant number of “beef tips.” The so-called Kentucky bourbon sauce is oily and worthy of the Hometown Buffet.

Average Retail Price: $3.89

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Tri-colored, corkscrew-shaped pasta and powdered sauce mix by Betty Crocker

Preparation summary: Boil pasta for 14 minutes. Combine sauce mix with three tablespoons cold water and two tablespoons of vegetable oil. Toss cooked pasta in the mixture and serve immediately or refrigerate.

High points: Salad is colorful and pretty

Low points: Tastes worse than some of the pasta salads I’ve eaten from suburban housewives who can’t cook. The dressing is horribly tart, forcing the eyes to squint and the lips to crumple.

Average Retail Price: $2.99

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Two mini “sundaes” by Weight Watchers made of low-fat mint ice cream, crumbled chocolate cookie crust, chocolate chips and fudge sauce

Preparation summary: Heat frozen in microwave on high for 5 seconds

High points: Fresh, cool and creamy tasting with a rich balance of mint and chocolate flavors

Low points: The sundaes are rather tiny, but hey, they’re tailored for dieters shaking for sugar.

Average Retail Price: $2.89

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Nine-ounces of sliced honey ham, preservative-free, contained in a plastic zipper-lock bag.

Preparation summary: Ready to eat

High points: For what it’s worth, the package says “minimally processed.”

Low points: The ham is a little oversweet and definitely pressed. And the re-sealable bag malfunctioned in two separate purchases.

Average Retail Price: $3.29

Availability: Major grocery stores