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Cold-Weather Cooking

[check] Except in the Sun Belt states, the charcoal grill has been tucked away, and spring is too far over the horizon for those who hunger for sizzling grilled meat. All is not lost, however, with appetizing alternatives available for indoor cooking until it's time to fire up the coals.

The George Foreman Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine ($129.99) from Salton Maxim Housewares, Inc., Mt. Prospect, Ill., is basically truth in advertising. Taking its name from the former heavyweight boxing champion who is the device's chief spokesman, the electric grill resembles a waffle iron in concept, except with straight grooves top and bottom. Simply place your hamburgers, chicken breasts, steaks, etc. on the slanted bottom rack and close the grill. The grooved channels carry grease and melted fat down into a run-off collection tray for later disposal, while the cooking surfaces sear the meat. The machine comes with a thermostat-controlled light that signals when the grill surfaces are hot enough for cooking, and the non-stick coating makes cleanup a snap. Best of all, the meat is juicy, crisp, and does not have that unappetizing gray pallor gas ovens often produce.

Krups North America, Inc., Peoria, Ill., has a pair of products that will help you get through the winter--or you can use all year round, for that matter. The Canyon Deluxe ($99.99) is an electric grill with an enamel-coated cast-iron cooking surface that reaches a high enough temperature to sear meat, fish, poultry, etc. in a most satisfactory manner. The 14" x 9" surface is capacious, and a stainless steel drip tray assures virtually smokeless cooking. An adjustable thermostat and handy cooking-time guide on the top of the handle make the entire operation just about foolproof. A versatile companion is the ProChef Plus toaster/broiler oven ($99.99), which can accommodate a whole chicken, casseroles, pizzas, and even cakes--yes, it bakes, toot Unlike most toaster ovens, this is a deluxe operation, with continuously self-cleaning walls, calibrated settings ranging from 50 [degrees] to 500 [degrees F] plus a broil setting, adjustable height positions for the cooking racks, and a cleverly designed hooking mechanism that pulls the rack out when the door swings open, eliminating the possibility of burning yourself by having to reach in to remove the finished product. There are slatted racks for baking or broiling and a grilling tray with drainage holes to let fat and grease drop into a collection tray for later cleanup. The see-through glass door allows you to...