I'm in, and about to go out again, otherwise I would post longer things on here and less potentially patronisingly, but Nigel Slater's Real Fast Food book is dead good for things that are fast and cheap and can be made with few cheap ingredients. I mean I am dead addicted to green lentils (dried) his "frugal way" with rice. Boil lentils vigorously for ten minutes with a bay leaf (i can send you some, i have a bay tree) and a dribble of olive oil. Drain and add salt and freshly ground black pepper, maybe a bit of butter if you have some. Serve with rice and any veggies you have lying around.

I also recommend a steamer (not an electric one or bamboo one, the metal pan sort) for steaming veg. Nicer than boiling and leaves in more nutrients.

I do advise getting hold of Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course if you can, as that's how I taught myself the basics. It's always in print (and always available cheaply second hand). Once you've learned a few things then it's a case of changing things a bit with different veg/fish/meat/spices and learning when you can substitute or adjust things and when you can't.