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

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

I do a ton of vegan cooking without really trying to. Mostly I love pastas with any combo of veggies/herbs/olive oil/garlic, pesto sauce being at the top of the list. You can easily make it without any parmesan.

Beans are the other biggie, of course, which as a vegetarian I'm assuming you already know how to cook. One of the best ways to replace the calcium from dairy in your diet is with dark green leafy vegetables. Since you love veggies, I'm sure you'll excel at this, but the thing about both beans and pasta is that they play really nicely with kale and spinach and chard and so on.

Pasta with Broccoli and Chili Flakes

While water is coming to the boil for pasta, briefly steam or blanch two cups of broccoli broken into small florets. Drain and immerse in cold water to stop cooking. Drain again.

When the water boils and you add the pasta, heat a few tablespoons of olive oil over medium-low heat, add a clove of chopped garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. When garlic begins to soften, add the broccoli and salt to taste. Sauté slowly until the pasta is done. Drain the pasta and toss with the broccoli, adding more salt or olive oil if needed, and a grind of black pepper if you like it.

I have more recipes if you like! Just let me know.