Product: Emmi Swiss Knight Cheese Fondue

Description: Ready-made Swiss fondue containing Emmental, Gruyere and Tilsit cheeses in a base of white wine and kirsch brandy.

Preparation summary: Heat mixture in a heavy sauce pan until smooth, or microwave in a non-metal bowl on high for three minutes. Serve with crusty bread and sliced pears.

High points: Compared to other boxed fondues, the curds taste properly aged and the brandy adds discernible sweetness.

Low points: If you’re eating the fondue without a small heat source under the pot, plan on revisiting the stove or microwave to maintain its consistency.

Average Retail Price: $6.49

Availability: Whole Foods

Product: Eggo Bake Shop Twists (Apple)

Description: Four frozen pastry sticks filled with apple puree concentrate and cinnamon.

Preparation summary: Microwave on high for 25 seconds.

High points: In a blink of an eye, you have warm, apple-y sugar in your mouth.

Low points: Pastry casings are as mushy as raw dough, and the filling is scant, yet offensively cloying.

Average Retail Price: $3.69

Availability: Major grocery stores

Product: Sweet Leaf Mint & Honey Green Tea

Description: Cold tea drink contained in a 16-ounce glass jar

Preparation summary: Ready to drink

High points: Cute label.

Low points: Imagine liquidating several packs of Wrigley’s Spearmint Gum into a glass with pure cane sugar and a drop of honey and then drinking it cold. As for the green tea in this brew, you’d never know it’s there.

Average Retail Price: $1.99

Availability: Ralph’s

Product: Deli Creations Hot Sandwich Melts (Turkey Monterey)

Description: Part of a new line of assemble-yourself sandwich kits by Oscar Mayer, which for this creation supplies the “country white” sub roll and sliced turkey. Kraft kicks in the pepper Jack cheese, Southwest sauce and salsa.

Preparation summary: Build the sandwich according to directions and heat on high in the microwave for 40 to 50 seconds.

High points: The manufacturers have defied the odds of bread turning out spongy in the microwave by giving us a puffy, bakery-like roll that pairs well with the melted cheese and saucy condiments.

Low points: The turkey meat is a little slimy, and for a five-inch sandwich it’s kind of pricey.

Average Retail Price: $3.49

Availability: Major grocery stores