Help me, vegans!

[thefourthvine]

Because of my baby's suspected dairy allergy, I have joined the ranks of the more-or-less vegan. (I can actually still eat eggs, but they aren't a huge part of my diet anyway.) And, see, I've been a vegetarian since I was ten. I know how to be a vegetarian! It doesn't require thought or effort! Whereas this veganism thing is very new and very, very hard.

Normally I'd just hit Google and research the shit out of this. But, well, I have a four-month-old baby. I don't have time to make out with Google the way I used to. So I am hoping to use the friends list shortcut - that there are vegans on my friends list who might have advice for me. Or, I guess, people on my friends list who aren't vegan but just love to Google.

Basically, here's what I need to know:

1. What are the basics of a vegan pantry? What are the special things that vegans keep around all the time, that make cooking or meals easier?
   
   
2. What are really good vegan products?
   
   
3. What are some good vegan recipes? Right now I'm relying much too heavily on fake meat, and that is not how I like to cook or eat. At least, not this much. I might as well be a carnivore! So - recipes? I especially need ones for balanced meals that are super-fast or that I can make in a crockpot. Suggestions of cookbooks featuring these things would also be very welcome.

Help? Please? Anyone? I will take links or comments or just supportive pats. I am experiencing involuntary dietary change and it's very scary!

Comments

Not a vegan, just a vegetarian with occasional cheese issues

[omnia-mutantur.livejournal.com]

Veganomicon is a fun cookbook, as is Sarah Kramer's body of work. I've also had some luck with http://www.theppk.com/recipes/

Rice and beany sort of dishes or whole wheat pastas with peanut sauce are the first things that spring to mind as sort of easy and dairyless, but if you can give me hints as to what you like in your food (are you a tofu or a seitan kind of vegetarian? do you like chickpeas or lentils or those alarming mystery beans in the whole foods bulk bins? Do you need to be able to prepare in three minutes with the power of your mind alone or can you spend a little time in the kitchen) I could probably be more helpful.