With grill pan, food won't fall through grate

If you've ever tried to fish an asparagus spear or bell pepper chunk from beneath the grill grate, you know the problem. Anolon's BBQ pan might be just the solution. It's a little different from most grill pans, with features designed for easy use and cleanup.

The 11-inch square pan is nonstick, with a ridge around the edges that catches fat and keeps it away from food but prevents it from dripping onto the grill and causing flare-ups. Ventilation holes throughout the pan do allow smoke and heat to reach the food. Metal loop handles make it easy to pick up with thick oven mitts.

Two quibbles: The ridges are set so close together that it's difficult to get the pan thoroughly clean, which will probably shorten the life of the nonstick coating. And the pan is only big enough to grill vegetables for four, or a couple of fish fillets.

The pan can be used with the lid open or closed, but is not meant for indoor cooking. Suggested retail is $60. At Macy's.

A tempting selection of flavored almonds

Flavored nut mixes have boomed in popularity as nuts have moved from nutritional no-no to power food. Maisie Jane's California Sunshine almonds offer a range of flavors, from truffled almonds coated in chocolate to tamari, as well as sliced nuts for salad toppers.

Tasters tried the irresistible dark chocolate almonds, the tamari, the cinnamon-glazed and zesty Italian sliced. Dark chocolate and tamari ranked highest; the cinnamon, so thickly coated that dark powder spills with each bite, is for spice-lovers only. Same for the zesty Italian, where garlic overwhelms other flavors.

Prices vary; suggested retail works out to about $1 an ounce or a bit more. At Whole Foods Markets or order online at maisiejanes.com.

Which ketchup, cheese make best burger toppers

Just in time for Fourth of July cookouts, Cook's Illustrated ($5.95) rates ketchup and provides tips on grilling a medium-well hamburger that's not too dry. Hunt's Ketchup was top-rated for taste and texture, with Heinz Organic and Annie's Naturals Organic also recommended. Want a cheeseburger? For presliced cheeses, the magazine recommends Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, followed by Cabot All Natural Sharp Cheddar and Cracker Barrel Natural Sharp Cheddar.