If one of your tasks was to provide you daughter with a List of Kitchen Essentials,what would you put on that list? I am thinking in terms of food stuffs, pantry items like seasoning mixes, spices, etc .
I will start the list off with milk,eggs,bread and butter . Nothing is more frustrating than to have one of these things missing when you want to cook or even have a snack.

I keep some basics on hand so that I can put together a quick dinner in a hurry:

Ground beef, tortillas, cheese, salsa (for quesadillas)
Ground beef, rice/pasta, cream of mushroom soup (for beef stroganoff)
Canned veggies that I can make into soup
Pasta, tomato paste, seasonings (for spaghetti & sauce)

There are some others. I try to be creative with meals and usually plan for them and shop weekly, but I try to keep things like the above on hand for emergencies or if I don't feel like cooking what I've planned.

The basic spices: thyme, oregano, marjoram, garlic, cumin

Butter and cooking oil
Pasta
Frozen veggies
Ground beef - I always have a pound or two in the freezer
Flour
Sugar
Rice

I think I'm the "kitchen essential!" Without me the pantry would not be as well stocked and organized. LOL

food essentials in my house

rice/pasta noodles
grated cheese
milk/eggs/bread
cream soups
frozen veggies
chicken breasts
ground meat
tortillas
salsa
canned tomatoes (diced, crushed, sauces)
flour/sugar/baking soda/baking powder
basic spices (salt, pepper, basil, italian herb blend)