Focaccia Genovese: Do You Know it? Prepare it Yourself!

Learn how to prepare a classic Italian meal.

Focaccia Genovese is a traditional Italian flatbread that is consumed and prepared in the entire country, but it comes from Liguria, with Genoa as the main city. It is believed that Ligurians are the masters of focaccia, just like Napoletans are famous for their pizza. The name means “loaf” in Italian, while in Latin “focus” is fire; which gives the bread its meaning: an aromatic and inviting flatbread baked over a fire.

5 Types of Cheese You Should Know Before You Start Cooking!

It is essential to know the different types of cheese.

Did you know that cheese is one of the most popular ingredients in the world? Most kitchens have at least a bit of it in their fridge, and it’s there for a reason. Many dishes have a bit of it or are created around the variety of flavors you can find. It’s one of the best alternatives to pair with wine, and it’s sure a healthy snack. But, what about the top 5 you need to know before cooking? Here we’ll break down the list for you!

How to Make Pasta Sauce and Not Die Trying?

These are the steps you must follow to prepare authentic pasta sauce. 

Italia is well known because of its pasta recipes, and there is not a single dish that it isn’t accompanied by a good sauce. They have a great tradition; besides, their preparations are quite simple, and the ingredients are easy to find. Chef Giada de Laurentiis comes from an Italian family where food is a prominent and basic part of it: her cooking style is based on the country’s classics, especially the sauces. Today we are going to show you four recipes by the famous chef.

Have You Ever Wondered What the Origin of Bread Is? Here's the Answer!

Bread is present in many of our meals, that's why knowing its origin is important. 

Bread is the most famous food around the world. Everyone knows and has a favorite type, but do you know how old it is? Or what is its origin? The reason behind its success is because it’s portable and compact, besides being a vital source of carbohydrates.

Bread: an Italian Tradition

You can always find fresh bread in any Italian table.

Bread is considered a sacred tradition in Italy, every meal there is accompanied by good loaves. Italians have the highest standards for their bakery, which is the reason why their products are held as top-tier in the cuisine market. Italian bread is well known for a soft and moist interior, making it ideal for absorbing olive oil, tomatoes, and other toppings that are traditional in this Mediterranean country.

Five Sauces that Go with Everything

Use sauces and put an extra touch of flavor in your meals.

Sauces can change a dish in many ways, making it the star of the meal and your cuisine. They can enhance the flavor or give it to meals like burgers, barbecues, pasta, and salads. There is nothing more horrible than a tasteless dish in a family dinner or friends reunion.

Tips for an Organized Kitchen

Cooking could be a disaster but, if you want a wonderful meal, your kitchen must be organized

The kitchen is the most important part of the house since that’s where the family reunites in different parts of the day. But when it’s a mess, it doesn’t give a good impression. For that reason check these tips, improve your kitchen, and be the star among your friends.

Best Restaurants in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Our restaurant is not the only one that you must try in San Juan

 San Juan is one of the loveliest cities of the Caribbean Sea, but there is nothing better than its food and today we will talk about the most famous restaurants in the city. When you are traveling, one of the first thing to do is eat, that way you will know more about the culture of the place. San Juan can show a variety of food, with Caribbean roots and influence from the countries close to the island. These restaurants represent the best of Puerto Rico’s culture, from affordable, rustic neighborhood eatery or a fancy culinary restaurant.

Cinco platos del Norte de Italia

La cocina de Italia es la más popular del mundo, y el norte posee más platos que sólo pasta.

Italia es un país con una rica cultura en todas sus expresiones, siendo la cocina uno de sus grandes exponentes. Sin embargo, muchas personas piensan que sólo se compone de pizzas y pastas, en especial a la famosa bolognesa, aunque la realidad es otra. La cocina Italiana es una de las más ricas de Europa y el mundo, con platos autóctonos que varían de región en región, y que posee influencias de las naciones con las que comparte frontera.

Cheese in the Italian Cuisine

The versatility of the use of cheese in Italian cuisine.

Italy is a big cheese producer, with more than 450 varieties. With different shapes, tastes and textures and made from cow, goat, sheep or buffalo milk, cheeses play an important role in the Italian Cuisine. Italian cheeses are in between the most remarkable in the world, Italian cheeses are exquisite and high quality produced.

Italians serve cheese whether it is before, after or during the meal, can also be served for munching or accompany with wine.

Cheese in the Italian Cuisine

Italian cheeses can be used on the preparation of many dishes, including desserts.

Gorgonzola:  the Italian blue cheese, Gorgonzola has different characteristics based on its age, when young it has a creamy texture, and older it has a crumbly and dry texture. Gorgonzola cheese can be combined with pasta, salads, wines and fruits like pears and figs.

Asiago: even if this cheese intensifies its taste while aging it never becomes sharp. Asiago is normally used for munching but it can be also combined with pasta, salads and soup.

Mozzarella: with a milky and creamy texture, Mozzarella is famous for being one of the favorites pizza toppings, it can also be used in salads and cold meat boards.

Mascarpone: creamy and spreadable, Mascarpone is used for the preparation of many desserts, it provides a delicate and sophisticated taste.

Ricotta: the texture is smooth and grainy, and the taste is slightly sweet. Is principally used as lasagna filling and for the center of cannolis.

Parmesan: it has a salty flavor and gets better with time. Is normally used to top pasta dishes and Minestrone.

The use of cheese as an ingredient, topping or garnish in the Italian cuisine makes it more enjoyable and delectable. Italian cheese are the most famous in the world by its unique tastes and high quality.

Italian Cuisine is something you can't miss. At Davide Punto Cucina, we focus on creating a  pleasurable experience that can bring you memories! You can enjoy the most exquisite dishes. We prepare authentic Italian food with fresh local ingredients.

Cheese is a main ingredient in the Italian gastronomy, it's delicious, and there's much variety.

Davide Punto Cucina

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Twitter: @davidepuntocuc1

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205 Roberts Street, San Juan, Puerto Rico  00907

​Reservations: 787.729.6700  

Italian Cuisine: Elegance and Tradition in One Dish

Italian cuisine is full of unique delights for every palate.

Italian Cuisine is a combination of high-quality ingredients and a careful process of creation. Italian chefs can tell you stories about the evolution of its components, transforming them into memories. Through centuries of experiencing socioeconomic and cultural changes, the love for the food increased in this culture. It became expression and passion, a social celebration, it became art.

The Passion of Italian Cuisine

One of the essential things about the Italian gastronomy is the diversity of its dishes and methods according to the region. This happens because the Italian cuisine relies on the use of fresh ingredients that are available in the area. Whether it is close to the mountain or the sea; the availability of animal protein and vegetables, as well as fruits and spices, depends on the zone, and in turn, the food depends on it. This diversity is more noticeable between the northern region and the southern region of Italy.

Italian cuisine works with simple ingredients that become a culinary masterpiece through somewhat complex processes. Most of this gastronomy contains a lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and sauces, but the products used vary by region. In the northern region, the most commonly used product is fish (with a large variety to pick from), sausages, pork, different types of cheeses, potatoes, rice, and corn. In the south region, the ingredients dominate the cuisine are a selection of fish and meat, ricotta cheese, tomatoes, olives, and its oil, peppers, garlic, artichokes, oranges, eggplants and zucchinis.

Also, Italian cuisine, in general, employs ingredients like seafood, basil, nuts, mushrooms, prosciutto and different sorts of grains, as well as salami and truffles.

There is a huge variety of pasta types in Italian cuisine, each with distinctive lengths, widths, and shapes. Some of the ones you can find are spaghetti, linguine, fusilli, lasagne, penne, maccheroni. Pasta plays an essential role in Italian gastronomy, but that doesn't mean that this is all Italy has to offer when it comes to high cuisine.

Italian Cuisine has a whole palette of colors, textures, tastes, and aromas that collide and intertwine to create a magical experience. It’s created more with the heart than with the hands, which is why it is so unique and extraordinary.

Italian cuisine is a combination of simplicity and high-quality ingredients. 

At Davide Punto Cucina, we prepare authentic Italian food with fresh local ingredients. We focus on creating a  pleasurable experience that can take you to an emotional place.

Facebook: @davidepuntocucina

Twitter: @davidepuntocuc1

Instagram: @davidepuntocucina

205 Roberts Street, San Juan, Puerto Rico  00907

​Reservations: 787.729.6700  

Is Pasta Good for Your Health?

It's time to put that myth behind you and enjoy the taste of pasta as part of your healthy diet. 

Pasta is an essential element in traditional Italian cuisine. It is made with wheat flour mixed with eggs or water and cooked (baked or boiled). Many low-carb diets have made it seem like an enemy for your health, but this is not entirely true. Eating pasta has a lot of benefits that are often ignored!

There is no reason why you should eliminate this delicious meal from your diet. Aside from its benefits, pasta is also a versatile alternative for lunch or dinner. Do you want to know more about it? We will break it down for you.

Pasta is good for your health

Pasta and a healthy diet are not mutually exclusive. There are many reasons why it makes for a good meal once a week! As with most things, it is bad for your health if consumed in excess.

Let's break down some facts about it: one cup of cooked pasta has no cholesterol, 1 gram of fat and 220 calories approximately. Whole-grain pasta has more vitamins, fiber, and protein but contains almost the same number of calories. There is also pasta made with corn, soba or brown rice; these are rich in fiber, protein, and omega-3 fats. Frequently, the kinds of pasta we find in our supermarket aisles are iron-rich.

Pasta is a good source of carbohydrates, and many people might think this is bad, but it is a myth. Carbohydrates are fundamental for your health as they provide the energy your body needs. Stopping carbohydrate intake will make your body break down typical metabolic chains. While this can make you lose weight, it will be over dehydration and malnourishment. So, at first it might seem like not eating pasta (or any carbs!) will help you be healthier, but in the end, is highly counterproductive.

Instead of looking at pasta as an enemy, make it part of your healthy diet. Like everything in life, you should eat pasta with moderation, two or three times a week should be enough for you.  

However, there is an important caveat: be careful with the toppings. Try to eat pasta with tomatoes, olives, light cream sauce, veggies or protein instead of eating it with high-fat, high-calorie toppings. You should also be careful with the portions and try not to overeat,  1 or 1-1/2 cups per person is enough. Pasta is rich in protein and fiber, so it makes you feel fuller and prevents overeating.

Now that you know how good pasta can be for you, you can include it in your healthy diet! Stop limiting yourself from enjoying this delight of the Italian cuisine.

Discover the benefits of eating pasta!

At Davide Punto Cucina, you can enjoy the most exquisite pasta dishes. We prepare authentic Italian food with fresh local ingredients. We focus on creating a  pleasurable experience that can make for good memories!

Davide Punto Cucina

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Facebook: @davidepuntocucina

Twitter: @davidepuntocuc1

Instagram: @davidepuntocucina

205 Roberts Street, San Juan, Puerto Rico  00907

​Reservations: 787.729.6700