Minimal Raspbian distribution

Packages that should be installed:

libraspberrypi-bin
raspberrypi-bootloader
raspi-config

Packages that should be removed:

lxde-common
lxsession

jwhitehorn/raspbian-mod: script to slim down a Raspbian installation

Building an image from scratch

Buildroot has instructions for an Raspberry Pi target.

https://github.com/debian-pi/raspbian-ua-netinst: Raspbian network installer

ansible

https://github.com/escapologyBB/ansible

https://github.com/escapologyBB/ansible-raspberry-pi

http://jpmens.net/2012/06/06/configuration-management-with-ansible/

Etc

Instantly finding a headless Raspberry Pi