Description: Standard-size can of organic chicken pot pie soup with large shell noodles, carrots and peas by the Colorado-based food manufacturer, Imagine.

Preparation summary: Heat in microwave or on the stovetop until hot.

High points: Less salty than canned soups made by Progresso and Campbell’s

Low points: “Imagine” siphoning the gravy-like innards of a cafeteria-grade chicken pot into a bowl and then adding stale garlic powder to the stuff.

Average Retail Price: $2

Availability: Henry’s Markets

Description: Bag of eight hand-twisted Bavarian-style pretzels made with a special blend of flours to achieve an “Old World” flavor. A separate package of coarse salt in included.

Preparation summary: Eat plain at room temperature, or brush pretzels with water or melted butter, then sprinkle with pretzel salt and heat in a 450-degree oven for one minute.

High points: Pretzels are thick and chewy with a whisper of sweetness. And they’re large and filling too.

Low points: A little doughy in the center when eaten straight from the bag. Texture improves greatly after a short visit in the oven.

Average Retail Price: $9.35

Availability: Whole Foods and Stumps markets

Description: Twenty small frozen cubes of finely minced basil, each equaling the equivalent of one teaspoon of fresh chopped basil. The manufacturer also sells chopped cilantro in the same form.

Preparation summary: Add a desired amount of cubes to sauces, salad dressings or pasta dishes and stir until they quickly thaw.

High points: The best invention since sliced bread. The cubes effectively impart flavor to recipes, sparing your cutting board those stubborn green stains.

Low points: If you like basil, then none.

Average Retail Price: $1.89

Availability: Trader Joe’s

Description: Frozen, single serving of lasagna made supposedly with five “real cheeses.”

Preparation summary: Microwave for three minutes, then stir sauce over the lasagna and continue cooking for an additional minute.

High points: There are visible signs of herbs in the sauce

Low points: Five cheeses? Today’s deals aren’t always steals. What you get here are flattened pasta sheets appearing as though all of the curds were squeezed out by a steamroller.

Average Retail Price: $1.50

Availability: Major grocery stores