This original, enthusiastically written book assumes no pre-knowledge of cooking, but it isn't an idiot's cookbook. It champions seasonal food, and is realistic about time spent on shopping and then chopping, with many suggestions for ingenious short cuts. Learning how to eke out the budget and eat well without spending hours labouring over a hot wok becomes crucial once you are fending for yourself. There are delicious recipes for quick food, almost instant food and food that cooks itself while you do something else. It tells you how to shop, and what to keep in the store cupboard so that you can always rustle up something when your gang of mates descends.