The kitchen is one of the most romantic settings for us, where the process of creating something simple or intricate feels like an act of love. It's where we- Jane and Garrett- combine intention, creativity, and joy. Whether it's toast with butter or spending hours perfecting Julia Child's beef bourguignon, we believe food has the power to bring people together. 

For us, the heart of our kitchen is pizza. Flour, water, and salt can to lead to endless possibilities, but at Ricotta Bear, it always leads to pizza (and pasta). Here are some of the pantry staples we can't live without.

It's where we combine intention, creativity, and joy. 

Ricotta Bear's Top Seven

Olive Oil 

Great olive oil is the foundation of everything in our kitchen. For pizza dough, olive oil is a must, enhancing the flavor and texture from the start. And when the pizza is done, a final Graza Drizzle acts like icing on a cake-it's that extra touch. And of course, there's nothing like dipping the crust in a little Drizzle. *chef's kiss*

Salt

Salt is essential at every stage of cooking, and in our kitchen, we have a range of salts for different purposes. For our pizza, we start with fine sea salt in the dough and finish each pizza with a sprinkle of flaky Maldon salt for that perfect crunch and flavor balance. 

Flour

We keep a variety of flours in the pantry, but our favorite for pizza dough is Central Milling Organic Type 00 Reinforced. We buy in bulk to make sure we're always ready to bake, so airtight containers are key to keeping everything fresh and organized in our kitchen. 

Sourdough

Meet Giuseppe-our 150+ year old San Francisco sourdough starter. He's been with us for the last four years, and we've developed a great relationship. While pizza dough is his main gig, we also use Giuseppe for bread and other baked goods. He adds an irreplaceable flavor and texture to everything he touches. 

Tomatoes

After trying countless canned tomatoes for our pizza sauce, Bianco DiNapoli Tomatoes have become our go-to. For the last three years, they've been a constant in our pantry. Whether for pizza or pasta, these tomatoes bring a rich, balanced flavor to our dishes. 

Honey

We source our honey fresh from the local farmers' market, and it's a staple in our kitchen. It's especially key for our Honey Bear pizza- a spicy pizza drizzled with honey, but not the trendy hot honey, just pure, simple honey that brings the perfect sweetness. 

Fresh Herbs (Thyme) 

Herbs elevate any dish, and thyme is one of our favorites. It's small but mighty, adding a punch of flavor to our pizza sauce and beyond. Fresh thyme is always within reach when we're cooking.