I don't think you can go wrong with a good old Good Housekeeping Institute book - you can often buy them in charity shops and they are a mine of information - recipes for batter for toad in the hole for example, which other books assume you know!

Hi Tanja, Tom's book sounds great but there are a couple of other books that may be of interest to you. ie. 'Student Food in Colour; Quick to Prepare, Simple to Serve, Easy on the eye, Great Eating' is by Catherine Atkinson - isbn: 0572033656 or there is a book by Sue Ashworth called 'Cooking on a Budget' good luck!

Forgive the shameless self promotion, Tanja, but you need Cupboard Love! It is written by yours truly, published by hodder and staughton and is available in paperback. It tells you how to kit out your kitchen with stuff that will keep medium to long term, providing the basics for easy, cheap meals.