• 1 set of measuring cups
• 1 glass measuring cup (2-cup or 4-cup size also works great for microwaving stuff)
• 1 set of measuring spoons
• 1 good knife (should be able to cut tomatoes and chicken)
• 1 large mixing bowl (6-8 cup size minimum, get glass or plastic in case you need to use it in the microwave)
• 1 large soup pot (about 5 quarts or larger) to boil pasta, make soup
• 1 medium sauce pan (about 2-3 quarts) to heat up smaller quantities, like spaghetti sauce
• 1 bottle liquid dish soap
• 1 box dishwasher soap, if you have a dishwasher
• 1 wash cloth, designated for the kitchen
• 1 drying towel
• 1 cutting board
• 1 9×13 baking dish (for brownies, cakes, casseroles, lasagna, etc.)
• 1 colander/strainer (free-standing bowl with holes in it)
• a can opener with good and comfortable handles
• a “church key” – short strip of strong metal with a can punch at one end and a bottle opener at the other
• pizza cutter/wheel (great for cutting across tortillas, sandwiches, and more)
• 1 non-stick, deep frying pan
• 1 2-3 quart electric crockpot (can slow cook a meal all day while you are away, so supper is ready when you walk in the door)
• 2-3 mixing spoons or spatulas
• 2-3 serving spoons
• 1 pancake turner/flipper; plastic because metal is bad for the non-stick frying pan
• 1 roll clear plastic wrap
• 1 roll of foil
• 4-8 reusable left-over containers and lids

Sitting down to eat?  Don’t forget to have on hand:

• plates
• bowls
• glasses
• mugs or cups
• forks
• knives
• spoons