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.

Hit Man — On Netflix June 7, 2024

Glen Powell isn't slowing down after Anyone But You, and his first movie of 2024 is Hit Man, where he stars as a Houston, Texas undercover cop posing as a hitman. When he meets a woman stuck in an abusive marriage, and then falls for her, he decides to break protocol to help her. Watch the Hit Man trailer here.

Hit Man premieres June 7 and stars Austin Amelio, Adria Arjona, Glen Powell, and Retta.

The Crow — In Theaters June 7, 2024

Eric and Shelly are soulmates in this modern adaptation of James O’Barr's graphic novel. But when Shelly's past catches up to them, and the couple is murdered, Eric has an opportunity: save his one true love by sacrificing himself. What follows is a merciless quest for revenge, and the desire to bring their murderers to justice.

The Crow hits theaters June 7 and stars Bill Skarsgård, FKA twigs, and Danny Huston.

Bad Boys: Ride Or Die — In Theaters June 7, 2024

Following 2020's Bad Boys For Life, this new summer movie has the action and hilarious comedy that you expect from the franchise. This time, Mike and Marcus are on the run themselves, which is sure to add even more chaos than before.

Bad Boys: Ride Or Die hits theaters June 7 and stars Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Nuñez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Jacob Scipio, Melanie Liburd, Tasha Smith, Tiffany Haddish, and Joe Pantoliano.

Dakota Fanning is back in this new horror thriller that follows Mina, an artist who gets stranded in a huge, untouched Irish forest. Things take a turn for the better when Mina finds shelter with three strangers — until she learns they're being watched by mysterious creatures every single night.

The Watchers hits theaters June 14, and stars Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Oliver Finnegan, and Olwen Fouere.

Like all Pixar sequels, Inside Out 2 has evolved with its main character Riley as she grows into a teenager. But that means there's a new emotion in town — Anxiety — and she's not going anywhere (don't I know it). This summer movie promises to be just as colorful and emotional as the first one, and I can't wait to cry in my chair at the theater. Watch the Inside Out 2 trailer here.

Inside Out 2 hits theaters June 14, 2024 and stars Lewis Black, Tony Hale, Maya Hawke, Liza Lapira, Diane Lane Amy Poehler, and Phyllis Smith.

The Bikeriders — In Theaters June 21, 2024

Your favorite actors like Austin Butler, Mike Faist, and Jodie Comer are back in this edgy summer movie, which follows a Chicago motorcycle club for over a decade. While the story is fictional, it was inspired by the real 1967 photobook by Danny Lyon! Watch The Bikeriders trailer here.

The Bikeriders hits theaters June 21, 2024 and stars Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Mike Faist, Tom Hardy, Boyd Holbrook, Norman Reedus, and Michael Shannon.

Janet Planet — In Theaters June 21, 2024

It's the summer of 1991 and 11-year-old Lacy has nothing but her imagination and her mother to keep her company — neither of which she minds. That is, until they get three visitors who pull her mother's attention away. This summer movie holds incredible tension between a deep mother-daughter relationship and figuring out pre-teen independence.

Janet Planet will release on June 21 and stars Julianne Nicholson, Zoe Ziegler, Elias Koteas, Will Patton, and Sophie Okonedo.

After the success of Poor Things, Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos are reuniting for a brand new summer movie. Kinds of Kindness is an anthology movie, tying together three different stories full of memorable characters. Knowing Yorgos, the movie will be wild, wacky, and absolutely memorable.

Kinds of Kindness hits theaters June 21 and stars Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie, and Hunter Schafer.

Firebrand — In Theaters June 21, 2024

History lovers won't be able to get enough of this summer movie, which follows Katherine Parr as she fights to survive the final months of Henry VIII's life. It's a realistic and brutal take on Tudor England, but promises to be more than compelling.

Firebrand hits theaters June 21 and stars Alicia Vikander, Jude Law, Eddie Marsan, Sam Riley, Simon Russell Beale, and Erin Doherty.

Summer rom-coms are back and better than ever thanks to A Family Affair ! The summer movie follows Zara (Joey King), who's left reeling when her mother (Nicole Kidman) strikes up a relationship with her famous actor boss (Zac Efron). And, as expected, hilarity unfolds from there.

A Family Affair hits Netflix June 28 and stars Joey King, Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman, Liza Koshy, and Kathy Bates.

A Quiet Place: Day One — In Theaters June 28, 2024

While we got a glimpse of A Quiet Place: Day One at CinemaCon, we'll finally get to see the whole story when it hits theaters at the end of June! The movie will open on the first day the alien Death Angels came to earth (which we briefly saw in A Quiet Place 2). Watch The A Quiet Place: Day One trailer here.

A Quiet Place: Day One hits theaters June 28, 2024. The movie stars Djimon Hounsou, Lupita Nyong’o, Denis O’Hare Joseph Quinn, and Alex Wolff.

Horizon: An American Saga: Chapter 1 — In Theaters June 28

You're going to want to add this summer movie to your list of favorite Westerns. The film covers 1861 to 1865 during the Civil War, and explores themes of family, identity, and good and evil as the United States goes to war. Chapter 2 will premiere August 16.

Horizon: An American Saga: Chapter 1 hits theaters June 28. The movie stars Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Owen Crow Shoe, Tatanka Means, Ella Hunt, Isabelle Fuhrman, and Jamie Campbell Bower.

Despicable Me 4 — In Theaters July 3, 2024

This is one animated sequel I cannot wait to watch in theaters — even if we can't partake in the Gentleminion TikTok trend anymore. Gru and his family are up against a new villain, voiced by Will Ferrell (who played a not-quite-cutthroat villain in Barbie). The whole gang is back together, including a new baby Gru Jr.! Watch the Despicable Me 4 trailer here.

Despicable Me 4 hits theaters July 3 and stars Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Steve Coogan, Miranda Cosgrove, Joey King, Will Ferrell, Sofia Vergara, and Kristen Wiig.

MaXXXine — In Theaters July 5, 2024

Mia Goth is back for another stint as Maxine and I'm happy to report that, after the clip of Maxine screaming "I'm a star" went viral across social media, she FINALLY gets her big break. But when Hollywood's newest stars begin turning up dead, Maxine's future is threatened by her past secrets.

MaXXXine hits theaters July 5 and stars Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon.

Fly Me To The Moon — In Theaters July 12, 2024

If you loved the vintage style of Lessons in Chemistry, you'll definitely want to press play on Fly Me To The Moon. Set during the Apollo 11 moon landing, the new movie follows Kelly Jones, a marketing expert tasked with fixing NASA's public image, while launch director Cole Davis is just trying to get the mission off the ground (literally).

Fly Me To The Moon hits theaters July 12 and stars Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Nick Dillenburg, and Anna Garcia.

Descendants: Rise of Red — On Disney+ July 12, 2024

'90s kids, rejoice — Brandy's back! After starring in Best. Christmas. Ever!, the singer and actress is reprising her iconic role as Cinderella in this new Descendants installment. Uma is now headmaster of Auradon Prep, and when she invites the Queen of Heart's daughter Red to join her, the Queen uses it as an opportunity to get revenge on Cinderella.

Descendants: Rise of Red hits Disney+ July 12 and stars Brandy, Rita Ora, Kylie Cantrall, Malia Baker, China Anne McClain, Jeremy Swift, Dara Reneé, Ruby Rose Turner.

Longlegs — In Theaters July 12, 2024

FBI Agent Lee Harker is an FBI Agent who's assigned to a serial killer case that's never been solved. When the case takes an unexpected turn — and shows evidence of occult activity — Harker is horrified to learn he has a personal connection to the killer. Watch the Longlegs trailer here.

Longlegs hits theaters July 12 and stars Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Alicia Witt and Blair Underwood.

Twisters — In Theaters July 19, 2024

Glen Powell returns to our screens again in Twisters with a star-studded cast. This summer movie seems to serve as a sequel to the original 1996 film, with just as much disaster and pure terror to help it stand on its own. Hold on folks, we're in for a bumpy ride. Watch the Twisters trailer here.

Twisters hits theaters July 19, 2024 and stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sasha Lane, Brandon Perea, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, and Maura Tierney.

Deadpool 3 (Deadpool & Wolverine) — In Theaters July 26, 2024

The MCU is in for a wild ride with Ryan Reynolds'Deadpool & Wolverine. Not only is the TVA involved and Hugh Jackman is bringing the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but we might also see Taylor Swift make an appearance as a brand new character. (Yes, please!). Watch the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer here.

Deadpool 3 hits theaters July 26, 2024 and stars Morena Baccarin, Emma Corrin, Brianna Hildebrand, Hugh Jackman, Stefan Kapičić, Matthew Macfadyen, and Ryan Reynolds.

My Old Ass — In Select Theaters August 2, 2024

Elliot is totally not expecting to meet her future self, but when the shock finally wears off, she agrees not to fall in love. She feels confident in her decision, thanks to her own advice, but everything changes when she meets the boy her older self warned her about.

My Old Ass will have a limited theatrical run starting August 2. The movie stars Maisy Stella, Aubrey Plaza, Maddie Ziegler, Kerrice Brooks, and Percy Hynes White.

Harold And The Purple Crayon — In Theaters August 2, 2024

The Harold we all knew as kids has grown up and drawn himself right off the pages of his book. Now, he's got to figure out how to operate in the real world — especially once the power of unlimited imagination (AKA his purple crayon) gets into the wrong hands.

Harold And The Purple Crayon hits theaters August 2 and stars Zachary Levi, Lil Rel Howery, Benjamin Bottani, Jemaine Clement, Tanya Reynolds, Alfred Molina, and Zooey Deschanel.

Borderlands — In Theaters August 9, 2024

Fans of The Last of Us will want to strap in for this video game adaptation (and not just because it's written by TLOU showrunner Craig Mazin!). The movie follows treasure hunter Lilith, who returns to her home planet of Pandora to find a missing girl, and the rag-tag team she puts together along the way. Watch the Borderlands trailer here.

Borderlands hits theaters August 9, 2024 and stars Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Ariana Greenblatt, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, Gina Gerson, Florian Munteanu, and Edgar Ramierez.

When Lily Bloom falls in love with Ryle, she's excited to start their life together. But she never expects her first love, Atlas, to reenter the picture — or for all the consequences that come with them reconnecting.

It Ends With Us premieres June 21 and stars Blake Lively, Jenny Slate, Brandon Sklenar, Justin Baldoni, and Hasan Minhaj.

Alien: Romulus — In Theaters August 16, 2024

This follow-up to the iconic Alien franchise is for sci-fi and action lovers! The summer movie follows a group of young space colonizers on a mission to explore an abandoned space station. But the deeper the go, they closer they get to the most terrifying life form in the whole universe.

Alien: Romulus hits theaters August 16, 2024 and stars Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu.

Frida is a cocktail waitress who gets whisked away from her regular life to philanthropist Slater King's private island. But the more time she spends on the intoxicating island, the more she realizes just how unsettling — and horrifying — it really is.

Blink Twice hits theaters August 23 and stars Channing Tatum, Naomi Ackie, Christian Slater, Alia Shawkat, Geena Davis, Adria Arjona, Haley Joel Osment, Liz Caribel Sierra, Levon Hawke, Trew Mullen, Saul Williams, Cris Costa, Simon Rex, and Kyle MacLachlan.

Kraven The Hunter — In Theaters August 30, 2024

You've never seen a super-hero flick quite like this. Consider this summer movie the origin story of the titular Kraven the Hunter, and discover why he becomes the feared figure we all know so well.

Kraven the Hunter premieres August 30, and stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott, and Russell Crowe.