Description: Single-serving frozen dinner from Weight Watchers’ Smart Ones containing orange-glazed pieces of chicken breast and a rice-vegetable medley.

Preparation summary: Microwave on high for three minutes, stir, and continue cooking an additional minute.

High points: With only four small pieces of chicken and a moderate plop of rice, you can eat it three times a day and end up with a pencil waist by Thanksgiving.

Low points: Tastes like Mandarin cuisine from North Dakota. The chicken is coated in mealy batter and flavored with syrupy orange goop that resembles Aunt Stella’s marmalade.

Average Retail Price: $3.79

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Bleached and malted flour cookie mix with chunks of semi-sweet chocolate.

Preparation summary: Combine the flour with one egg and a stick of softened butter, and spoon batter onto a cookie sheet. Bake in a 375-degree oven. Cooking times listed on the box vary according to quantity.

High points: Lighter texture and more buttery compared to leading pre-made dough brands. The chocolate is less sugary with stronger hints of cocoa.

Low points: The malted flour imparts airiness, causing any leftover cookies to turn dry and brittle by the next day.

Average Retail Price: $2.79

Availability: Major grocery stores

Description: Thin, round tart topped with crème fraiche, cured ham, caramelized onions and Gruyere cheese.

Preparation summary: Bake directly on center oven rack at 475 degrees for seven to 10 minutes.

High points: Looks like frozen pizza from the outside, but once cooked you get exposed to a savory un-American treat known as tarte flambee to the French, and flammkuchen to the Germans.

Low points: None

Average Retail Price: $4.39

Availability: Trader Joe’s

Description: New, denser version of classic Worcestershire sauce by the company that made it famous.

Preparation summary: Ready to eat

High points: Dark and viscous with a deep raisin-y essence achieved from cloves, tomato puree, tamarind, garlic and white vinegar. A little goes a long way when used in gravies, stuffings and sautés.

Low points: Burns ugly holes in the throats of people on bland diets.

Average Retail Price: $4.49

Availability: Major grocery stores