Cooking Basics for the Reluctant Cook, According to Rachael Ray

B+C: What fruits are best for grilling? Why?

Jonathan: Honestly with the right equipment, you can grill any fruit, but for simplicity, let's stick with fruit that you can throw on any backyard grill. I personally love splitting Alabama peaches and tossing them with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper before throwing them on a charcoal grill. Peaches are a super versatile fruit, so it makes sense that they do so well. They have the perfect texture and sugar content, which makes grilling them incredibly easy. I also love grilling figs, but they can be trickier on my Weber at home.

B+C: Why *should* you grill fruit?

Jonathan: Why not? I love cooking on charcoal grills, and when I go through the pageantry of getting the coals lit, carefully tending to them until they are perfectly ashed over and raging hot, I want to get the most out of that fire. So, I will grill anything I can get my hands on. The natural sugars in fruit offer up the perfect vessel for that smoky charred flavor – which is why we grill in the first place.

B+C: What textures and flavors does the grill bring to fruit?

Jonathan: Grilling fruit that is not quite ripe yet softens them up just enough to bring out the natural sweetness of the fruit, while remaining firm enough to easily slice. When you are cooking over a live fire, they’ll pick up those subtle flavors carried by the smoke. I love how as the char develops, it enhances the sweetness of the peach, while carefully attaching a savoriness that carries the fruit through tremendous peaks and valleys.

B+C: What foods would you recommend pairing with grilled fruit?

Jonathan: While it may be a touch on the nose, I think grilled fruit belongs on pork. Of course, people automatically think of grilled pineapple and pork, but grilled peaches, nectarines, figs, pears, grapefruits, and mangoes all love being tossed with olive oil and herbs before being laid to rest atop a perfectly grilled pork chop.

B+C: How long should fruit be grilled?

Jonathan: Until it's done. Honestly though, that is a matter of preference. When it comes to peaches, I take them as far as I can over high heat, allowing them to burn without compromising their structure. As long as you only char the surface, there is plenty of fruit left to have a good time with the burnt side. I think the most important thing is to not be afraid – if you take it too far, you might find out that's how you like it.

B+C: What about grilled lettuce? Wouldn't it wilt?

Jonathan: Lettuce can be a little trickier. I find that grilling whole heads or little gems and hearts of romaine work best. If you try to grill lettuce leaves, they will more than likely wither away. One of my favorite salads is a grilled romaine Caesar salad – it's simple, and I get to use my grill. If you are feeling a little frisky, grilled Belgian endive is what the gods eat.

B+C: Any best tips for grilling in general?

Jonathan: When grilling just about anything, you want to make sure your grill is hot. The best test for this is to hold your hand over the grill and start counting. If you make it to five seconds, you need to let it warm up a little longer. Then you want to clean those grates with your trusty grill brush. Finally, you need to get those grates lubed up. Take a good grip of paper towels, dip 'em in some olive oil and wipe those grates down with your tongs. When it comes to prepping fruit for the grill, you want a good amount of surface area, so cut the fruit accordingly. Then just pat them dry with some paper towels, toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and you are ready to go.

B+C: Let’s start by talking about your partnership with Genova Premium Tuna. For those who don’t eat it, the fish is often generalized to be kind of gross and smelly. Do you have any tips on how to incorporate tuna into the kitchen for people who’ve never worked with it before?

I love tuna because it's so versatile and easy to work with, especially a high-quality product like Genova Premium Tuna. One of my favorite dishes that my family is loving right now is my Genova Yellowfin Tuna and Artichoke Pasta, which is inspired by the flavors of Tuscany. But you can incorporate tuna into a number of other dishes from appetizers and sides to easy entrees.

B+C: I love the idea of Mediterranean Al Fresco dining. Are there any tips you can give to still achieve this vibe but on a low budget?

When hosting friends and family at my home in Tuscany, I like to up my floral game by reaching into my garden and adding in some fresh herbs – it’s aesthetically pleasing and smells DELISH!

B+C: With summer on the way as well, you created a Genova Yellowfin Tuna and Artichoke Pasta. Can you walk me through how to make that? Any standout tips for home cooks out there making this recipe?

My number one tip is to focus on ingredients. Finding high-quality ingredients helps to elevate even the simplest of recipes. I love that Genova Premium Tuna is made with premium cuts of hand-filleted, wild caught yellowfin and albacore tuna, drizzled with just the right amount of olive oil, which is always my preference because it adds so much great flavor, and it has no additives or preservatives. Just tuna, premium olive oil, and a pinch of sea salt.

B+C: Are there any underrated summer ingredients that you like to throw in pasta besides artichokes? What are the top three local ingredients you find yourself using right now?

Not really, there’s one that's very hard to find in America. I've only found it here once — it's called Agretti. It's in season right now. I have some in the fridge that I brought home from Italy. It looks like seaweed, but it actually grows in sandy soil — and only in the spring. I put it with anchovy oil. You could also make it withGenova Premium Tuna, red pepper flakes and lemon. It's delicious.

B+C: Switching gears to speak on your final season of The Rachael Ray Show. How are you feeling about the show coming to an end?

My life didn't come to an end, and I'm sure I'll still work with many of the people I've been working with at the daytime show for years to come. I'm celebrating the 17 years we had on the show — it's extraordinary to have that kind of opportunity. I love everyone that worked with me — families were built at our show.

I have many, many, many projects coming up, and I'm gonna try and use as many of my friends as possible on them. But I'm extremely proud of our show. It showed people that anybody can be a Rachael Ray and that anybody can change the world on any given day.

B+C: Throughout all of your years filming, is there a funny memory with a guest that still gets you laughing?

There's a million. I mean, we've done over 2,700 shows of the daytime television show, so there's a lot of memorable moments, of course. Maybe one of my biggest laughs is when I almost killed Cloris Leachman…God rest her soul now. She slipped on set and literally fell in the kitchen. An ambulance came and took her to the hospital, and she was hitting on the EMTs while they were literally wheeling her away. A few weeks later she sent me the shoes she was wearing when she fell in a clear box. She signed them and wrote, “Thanks for almost killing me.”

B+C: Is there a recipe from the show that people constantly tell you that they make or just became a fan favorite?

I can't even count how many recipes I've written. I wrote every single recipe for every show. But if I had to pick a fan favorite, I would say anything that says Buffalo or Chili in front of it. I think my Buffalo Chicken Chili is the most downloaded recipe on our website.

B+C: With you being such a culinary inspiration throughout the years and having so many guests, is there anyone in the industry that has inspired you?

There are so many inspirations…my grandfather and my mother are probably my biggest inspirations in the kitchen because growing up we lived in the kitchen, and they instilled my work ethic in me. But everyone that I've ever worked with at Food Network is a huge inspiration — Emeril [Lagasse], Sarah Molten! I have so many dear friends like Bobby Flay and Anne Burrell. Guy [Fieri], I've known since the beginning of his career — I was his coach. There’re so many people that I just love and adore. Jacques Pepin is the greatest living! And chef José Andrés is my biggest partner in our philanthropic efforts. He's the reason I got to start my tours in Ukraine. I worked at the World Central Kitchen, and I'll be going back to Ukraine for my fifth time in June.

B+C: You also recently launched your production company, Free Food Studios. What projects are you looking to focus on? Any specific foods or locations?

We're currently filming another renovation show for A&E. Basically, we go to people's homes that have lost everything to fire or flood — or in two cases, people losing control of their cars and driving through homes — and we try to give 'em a leg up while they're rebuilding their lives. For example, we help them decorate and get the stuff that they need and want, and then we kind of bless the house by having a big food event. We break bread together, and they get to write all of their own menus that I cook for them. Some of them were unusual, but we give 'em whatever they want.

B+C: Would you ever consider going back in front of the camera after the show ends? Maybe for a Tuscany related show?

You bet. And we already filmed a renovation show that focused on my Tuscan home that aired and is streaming on A&E.

B+C: Florence is a hot spot in Italy, especially with the summer coming up. What’s your go-to restaurant spot there?

I haven't been to Florence in years because I live in Tuscany now, but I love Il Latini. It's a beautiful restaurant with a huge farm — a lot of what they serve in the restaurant comes from the owner’s farm. The owner's also very proud of his book collection. He was a big reader and has all his books that surrounded the dining room and hanging prosciutto that's dangling from the ceiling. It's always a wonderful, wonderful time to eat there.

B+C: So besides your production studio, what else is next for you?

I'm going to be working from both Italy and my home in upstate NY. So, it's gonna be a lot of work because I have a lot of TV projects planned — and about to be announced! So, I don't know that there's gonna be a lot of time for much else except, an occasional nap and my work in Ukraine.

Rachael Ray's Genova Yellowfin Tuna Pasta Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Artichokes

• Artichokes (fresh or canned, see instructions below)
• 12 small/baby artichokes
• 2 lemons
• 3 Tablespoons EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
• Salt & pepper (or red pepper)

For the Pasta

• 2 Tablespoons EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
• 4 Tablespoons butter, cut into tabs
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper, optional
• Salt
• 1⁄2 cup white wine (you may use chicken or vegetable stock) 1 pound spaghetti or linguine
• 2 cans (5 ounces each) Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley, divided
• A small handful of fresh mint, chopped and divided 1⁄4 cup toasted pistachios, chopped (or pine nuts)

Instructions:

• Serves 4
• Prep Time 15 minutes
• Cook Time 40 minutes

For the Artichokes

1. Preheat the oven to 425 F.
2. If using fresh artichokes: Fill a bowl with cold water and the juice of 1 lemon. Trim the tops of the artichokes and a few of the tougher outer leaves. If using canned artichoke hearts in water, use 2 cans, drain well and quarter lengthwise.
3. Using a vegetable peeler or small paring knife, trim the stems a bit.
4. Halve the artichokes and place in the lemon water. Let soak for a few minutes, drain and pat dry on a kitchen towel.
5. Arrange the artichokes in a casserole or baking dish and add the juice of the remaining lemon (then quarter the lemon) and throw the lemon wedges into the dish as well.
6. Add the EVOO, salt and pepper (red pepper, if using).
7. Roast for 25-30 minutes or until tender.

For the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil to cook the pasta.
2. While the water is coming to a boil, place a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and butter. Add the garlic, red pepper (if using) and a sprinkle of salt and swirl a minute more. Add the white wine (or stock if using) and let reduce by half.
3. When the water comes to a boil, salt the water, add pasta and cook a minute less than the directions. Reserve 1⁄2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
4. Add the artichokes into the large skillet along with the Genova Yellowfin Tuna with its oil and gently break up with the back of a wooden spoon or paddle.
5. Add the lemon juice and starchy pasta cooking water to the skillet along with the drained pasta, cheese, half of the parsley and mint and pistachios. Toss to combine, top with the remaining herbs and serve.

Watch The 'Southern Charm' Trailer Here!

• The whole trailer starts off with Craig saying, “You can either accept the life that I live now, or not." That DEFINITELY sets the tone for the rest of this first look — and seemingly the rest of season 10.
• Despite whatever drama may come, it's clear that Shep's inner child is alive and well. That "olly olly oxen free" and cannonball moment is soooo extremely him.
• We're getting a group Bahamas trip! You know that can only mean one thing: DRAMA. Nothing changes the dynamic like being outside of Charleston!
• There's a new girl in the group, named Molly! Apparently she "used to sext Craig," but she's " not trying to steal him from Paige or anything." Okay, sure Jan...
• Taylor has a new boyfriend. Color me unsurprised!

• Excuse me, but Venita & JT?!?! IDK how to feel...
• After Craig tells Patricia that JT called her a b--ch, Madison says, “He will be the b--ch when I’m done with him.” I mean, you really just don't go after Patricia — everyone knows that!
• Every time Craig and Austen talk, it's clear they're exasperated with one another. Craig said, “Our friendship will never look like it used to." As much as I'm happy to see Craig setting clear boundaries with his friends, I'd definitely hate to see this bromance die. (Even though IDK if I'll ever forgive Austen for the Ciara of it all...)
• And in another unsurprising update: Shep has a new girlfriend — and she's the former Miss Bahamas! According to Madison, she's a Southern Charm fan, so it seems like some people think she's just using him as pawn to get on the show. All I know is we eventually see Shep walking away dejected and saying, “I shouldn’t have done this.” YIKES.
• And as predictable as the rain, of course there's drama with Shep, Taylor, and another woman — Salley. According to Salley, she and Shep slept together, and Taylor doesn't seem to take this well. She said, "I dated Shep for two years. Y'all just f----d!"

Who's returning for 'Southern Charm' season 10?

Our charmers Venita Aspen, Leva Bonaparte, Craig Conover, Taylor Ann Green, Austen Kroll, Madison LeCroy, Rodrigo Reyes, Shep Rose, and Jarrett “JT” Thomas are all set to return for season 10! Patricia Altschul and her son Whitney Sudler-Smith will also appear throughout the season — because it wouldn't be Southern Charm without this duo, TBH!

While JT will be back for this season, he just announced season 10 will be his last. He announced his impending departure in an Instagram post, writing, "It comes with a heavy heard to share that I have resigned from Southern Charm." He continued, explaining that he won't participate in his "2-3 remaining green room interviews remaining" before the season 10 premiere. He said, "...I no longer wish to participate in any ways moving forward with the TV show." After the bombshell, JT elaborated that he's going to "work on next steps to recover both physically and mentally from what has been an extremely challenging & exhausting year."

Needless to say, this is extremely shocking! Most of the drama outlined in the trailer revolves around Craig, Austen, and Shep, but it's clear there's way more to this story. We'll for sure keep an eye out for more details as this continues to unfold.

One face we're sad to see gone is Olivia Flowers. In regards to leaving the show, she told Scheana Shay on Scheananigans, "It wasn't my choice." Apparently producers told her the decision came because she seemed estranged from the Charleston scene, often traveling, spending time in Texas, and connecting with her new boyfriend. And while that may have bothered her at the time, it's clear that Olivia doesn't have time to worry about all that given her recent engagement to Alex Williams.

Are there any new cast members for 'Southern Charm' season 10?

This season, we're getting a few newcomers to Charleston! Salley Carson is "a bubbly party girl by night and a robotics technician for surgical procedures by day. The debutante is gorgeous, intelligent, and independent, and she shares a curiously parallel romantic past with Taylor." Yeah, that definitely spells trouble in Shep-ville. Outside of the social scene, her bio reads that Salley works in spinal robotics — nothing short of impressive there! I can't wait to see what this brainy beauty adds to the group!

Molly O’Connell also joins season 10 after apparently showing up in the background of previous seasons for years. So while she's new to the show, she's definitely been a friend of the group for a while. Still, this isn't Molly's first foray into TV — she was on America's Next Top Model in 2010 and continued her modeling career for years afterwards. On top of all that? She's also appeared as a charter guest on Below Deck. Clearly, this girl was made for the screen!

Ryan Albert hops on board this season as a friend of Patricia's — because who doesn't this woman know in Charleston?! According to Bravo, he's a stay-at-home-husband who volunteers — and hosts parties — in his free time.

When does 'Southern Charm' season 10 come out?

Southern Charm season 10 premieres Thursday, Dec. 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT! I'll be tuned in with rosé in-hand and mouth agape!