The quickest way to be clever in the kitchen is to make sure your kitchen is stocked. Here is a list of kitchen and pantry essentials:

Kitchen Essentials
Mixing Bowls (S,M,L)
Whisk
Dry Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Liquid Measuring Cup
Saucepans (1-qt., 2-qt. and 3-qt.)
Skillets (8" and 10")
Large Saute Pan (deeper than a skillet, with a lid)
Meat Cutting Board
Veggie Cutting Board
Spatula (Metal and Hard Rubber)
Soup Ladel
Grater
Collander
Vegetable Peeler
Kitchen Tongs
Long Handled Fork
Baster
Bottle Opener
Can Opener
Meat Thermometer
Candy Thermometer
Timer
Corkscrew
Slotted Spoon
Wooden Spoon
High-heat flexible rubber spatula
Funnel
Pepper Grinder
Wooden Skewers
Ice Cream Scoop
Collapsable Vegetable Steamer
Storage Containers
Rectangular glass baking dishes
Paring Knife
Chef's Knife
Carving Knife
Serrated Bread Knife
Serrated Tomato Knife
Sharpening Steel
Electric Hand Mixer
Muffin Tins (2)
Round Cake Pan (2)
Square Baking Pan (9x9)
Loaf Pans (2)
Cookie Sheet
Glass Pie Plate
Rolling Pin
Cooling Racks
Flour Sifter
Scissors
Pizza Cutter
Juicer
Pot Holders
Dish Towels
Cheese Cloth

Time Savers
Cuisinart
Salad Spinner
Blender
Pantry Essentials
Aluminum Foil
Plastic Wrap
Freezer Bags
Wax Paper
Matches
Toothpicks
Balsamic Vineagar
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
BBQ Sauce
Boullion Cubes (Beef, Chicken, Veggie)
Brown Sugar
Butter
Ketchup
Cayenne Pepper
Chocolate Chips
Cinnamon
Cocoa Powder
Cooking Spray
Corn Starch
Fruit Preserves
Cream of Tartar
Mayonnaise
Mustard
Olive Oil
Parmesan Cheese
Peanut Butter
Powdered Sugar
Red Wine Vinegar
Table Salt
Sea Salt
Maple Syrup
Honey
Soy Sauce
Sugar
Unbleached White Flour
Vanilla Extract
Almond Extract
Vegetable Oil
White Wine Vinegar
Garlic Powder
Worcestershire Sauce
Yeast
Lemon Juice