Five utensils or less

Having the right tools goes a long way to making a job enjoyable. If you only think of the tool you need when you're reading the recipe though, you're going to get stuck in a loop. Once you've decided to cook more at home, go to the store and make sure you have the most important tools on hand. Here is what I recommend:

Knife and cutting board

I have been using ceramic for a few years and I will never gone back to steel. Ceramic knives take much longer to dull than steel knives. I have a small and a medium one, since I don't cook a lot of things that require a large knive (like a turkey, for example). 

As for the cutting board, two decisions: material and flexibity. I don't have a preference between bamboo, wood or plastic, except that plastic is lighter and easier to manage. Flexible boards adapt better to your space: whatever you do, do not buy a large, rigid board that will not sit on your counter without sliding.

Wooden spoon

Yes, you can use a fork in a pinch, but you'll end up damaging your pots and putting more effort than needed.

Turner

Silicon is my favorite. Just a wide one should be fine but consider adding a narrow one, for more precise tasks.

Grater

Flat ones are easier to storage than square ones. Medium sized holes should work equally well for cheese and for citrus skin.

Whip

Again, you can use a fork in a pinch, but it will not get rid of lumps.

If you have space for more

Measuring cups Although most of my recipes don't require very precise measuring, eventually you will want to bake, which does require careful measurements.

Tongs Will make it easier to work on high heat.

Scissors This is the only thing I use to cut herbs: reduce waste, use fewer utensils, less dishwashing.

Chopper OK, this one looks like a useless gadget but it is not. If you don't care the perfect shape of your diced onion or garlic, you will do in 5 seconds what normally takes 5 minutes.

I want to hear from you, what is the one utensil you cannot live without?