For food preparation

For food preparation:

set nested mixing bowls, 4
set nested dry measuring cups. 4
1 or 2-cup liquid measuring cup
set nested measuring spoons, 4
3 serving spoons
3 wooden spoons
slotted cooking spoon
large fork
paring knives
bread knife
French cooks knife, 6 inch
medium cleaver
butcher knife for carving meat
cutting board (If you kitchen does not have one.)
3 rubber spatulas (Wooden handles are stronger.)
large tongs
flour scoop
sugar scoop
grater, stainless steel
ladle

flour sifter
salad bowl (Wooden is good.)
serving platter
biscuit cutter (This can double for many tasks.)
pastry blender *
pastry board *
pastry knife *
vegetable brush
rolling pin *
pancake turner
slotted egg turner
vegetable parer
garlic crusher
electric mixer (A portable will work.)
can opener (You should have a manual one for power failures.)
blender and/or food processor *
toaster
waffle iron *

For stove top cooking:

medium sauce pan, stainless steel preferred
small sauce pan
medium or large non-stick frying pan
large cast iron skillet *
large all purpose, stainless steel pot for soups,
stews, pasta
stovetop or electric wok *
slow cooker (crockpot) *
pastry brush

small strainer
colander
coffee maker (Even if you do not drink coffee, it's handy for company.) *
tea kettle
ceramic tea pot *
thermometer, suitable for candy and deep fat frying *

Do not use metal spoons, spatulas or other utensils on non-stick pans. You can always use wooden utensils or find a variety colorful utensils made especially for use on non-stick surfaces.

Never, ever use a metal spoon, turner, etc. on the metal surface of a pot, pan or bowl. The metal will scrape into the food. Use plastic, wood or rubber only.

Another word on spoons, turners, etc. Do not rap these on the sides of pans or bowls to remove excess food particles. To my great dismay, many TV cooks do this, but is it not wise. You can damage both the spoon and the pan and it really is not effective. A couple of good shakes above the surface will accomplish the same. Protect your investments.

For conventional oven cooking:

roasting and/or broiling pan
2 cake tins
2 loaf tins
1 muffin pan, 12 each or 2 pans, 6 each
2 pie tins

2 cookie sheets
2 cooling racks
1 small or medium casserole
1 large casserole
1 meat thermometer

For microwave oven cooking:

1 set microwavable containers, various sizes with lids (Suggest they should be suitable for storing food in freezer as well as for cooking.)

For outdoor cooking:

1 set long handled utensils should include: tongs, turner, fork and grill cleaner. A long handled baster comes in handy for applying barbecue sauce. Also purchase a plastic pump-spritzer for water. Use to put out flames that flare up and burn meat.

Accessories and Cleaning:

4 canisters, various sizes

dish drainer
waste basket
2 or more trays
bottle opener
2 pot holders, thick
spoon rest, try a glass "banana split boat"
bucket for mop water
kitchen shears
toothpicks
salt and pepper shakers
knife sharpener
waxed paper
plastic bags with 'zip' closures
aluminum foil
paper towels (and a holder)

dishpan
broom
mop
dustpan
12 dish towels, all cotton
12 dish clothes, all cotton
table trivets
"Dobie", a must
sponges of various sizes
antibacterial liquid cleaner
antibacterial hand soap
dishwashing liquid
non-abrasive scouring powder or such
glass cleaner
dishwasher liquid, if you have a dishwasher

Note about canisters: While fancy canisters can give an elegant designer touch to counter tops, keep in mind that air tight containers protect staple ingredients from invasion by unwanted creatures, such as weevils in flour and ants in sugar. They will also keep coffee and tea fresh longer. In warm weather you may want to store grain and sugar products. In humid weather add a few grains of rice to salt shakers to prevent caking. See through containers make identifying contents easier, however, all containers should be clearly labeled. I use strips of wide masking tape lettered with a permanent marked on plastic containers. Be sure to label and date frozen foods store in plastic bags and other containers also.