Vladka -- TJ refers to an interesting and useful chain food store in the US called Trader Joe’s. They have many wonderful products but their prepared foods are really not very good. Nonetheless, millions of people buy and eat them.

And I obviously agree with you: making something simple and good like pasta or couscous really doesn’t take any longer than opening up a package and heating it in the microwave.

Greg -- thanks. Yes, most of the learning in kitchen concerns repair work. There’s an interesting book out there called “How to Repair Food” that’s a bit goofy in tone but nonetheless contains a great deal of useful information. Amazon has both new and used (for a dime!) copies for sale.

Thanks dped. I do think the TJ prepared meals are better than the dinner-in-a-tray of yesterday, but jeez, not even close to what can be made in almost in the same time it takes to heat the damn thing up.