Description: Creamy dip made with Monterey Jack, cheddar, asadero and queso blanco cheeses.

Preparation summary: Ready to serve. Refrigerate after opening.

High points: Chunks of onions, chilies and sweet red peppers emerge, providing an occasional psychological rush of zesty flavor.

Low points: Four cheeses? This is basically salt spread that doesn’t taste any different than canned cheddar cheese dips lurking in the snack aisles. Soybean oil is the leading ingredient.

Average Retail Price: $2.99

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Twelve bite-size puff pastries filled with chicken and cayenne pepper sauce.

Preparation summary: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes in a 425-degree oven on a greased cookie sheet.

High points: Tastes a little like hot wings for a split second. Pastry casings cook up evenly.

Low points: The filling lacks substance as the chicken is micro-shredded into the sauce to the point of invisible.

Average Retail Price: $3.99

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Two sandwich halves topped with cubed chicken breast, bacon, tomatoes and ranch-style sauce on sourdough bread.

Preparation summary: Place panini halves on “grilling tray” and then on the top of the outer box with the lid folded back. Microwave for two-three minutes.

High points: None

Low points: Lots. For starters, the manufacturer needs to simplify the heating instructions, which are long and convoluted. The chicken, though plentiful is dry. The bread turned out drier, being almost impossible to chew along the crusts. The bacon and so-called “ranch sauce” were barely detectable. Overall, this ain’t no chicken club.

Average Retail Price: $2.39

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Tray serving of Japanese noodles that you sprinkle with powdered cheddar cheese.

Preparation summary: Fill tray with one cup of water and microwave for four minutes. Add powdered mix and stir until noodles are coated.

High points: Wheat noodles are light and ribbony and exude only trace amounts of gluey starch into the liquid.

Low points: Bright-orange sauce resembles in color that of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, which Asian companies really shouldn’t attempt until they develop a more seasoned palate for curds. The sauce looks cheesy, but tastes like dusty cardboard.

Average Retail Price: $1.49

Availability: Major grocery stores