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

[abbylee]

I can't help with 1 and 2, but here's my contribution for 3: Abby's casserole.

The recipe listed mentions cheese because I was trying to hit all food groups but it is still a good recipe with the cheese omitted; I made it tonight without cheese, although the cheese was available on the side for my dinner hosts.

The recipe also calls for a whole bunch of things to be canned, but that's because I was trying to make it as easy as possible. Dried beans and fresh tomatoes will also work :)

I love it because it's easy to make and because you can't screw up the proportions. I listed amounts of each thing, but they're just general estimates. I just throw in whatever I have on hand or would work best for my guests. And since it's good for however long you bake it, as long as you don't burn it, it is also convenient for two moms with a baby.