thefourthvine | Help me, vegans!

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:

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?
What are really good vegan products?
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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

1. I'm a foodie, so what I generally keep around is much different than what other people keep but here's what I always have on hand:

grains/seeds: quinoa, millet, basmati rice, brown rice, arborio rice
pasta: something italian (e.g. penne) and japanese (e.g. soba)
beans: I will keep a couple cans of black beans and chickpeas at all times, and have dried chickpeas, black beans, mung beans, etc. around for when I have more time.
Other canned/jarred: canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sundried tomatoes in oil, capers, lemon juice, lime juice, soy sauce, ketchup, Earth Balance margarine, bullion cubes, maple syrup, agave nectar
nut butters:peanut, almond, cashew
nuts/seeds:pine nuts, almonds, cashews, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds (white and black)
oils: olive, sunflower, peanut, toasted sesame, sesame
soy stuff: (I actually don't keep this stuff on hand unless I'm making something specific, however I know a lot of people like soy) tempeh, tofu (silken and chinese style firm), soy milk, soy yogurt, Vegenaise (this is the best commercial vegan mayo out there)
baking stuff: chocolate chips, white flour, whole wheat flour, dorn flour, spelt flour, corn starch, baking powder, baking soda.
spices: a lot

With the above and fresh veggies I find that I can make anything. (Although of course I also have things on hand like pomegranate molasses and raw cocoa and mirin and various vinegars (apple cider, rice, white, red, etc.), seaweed, liquid smoke)

Everyone mentioned fat free vegan already... I also suggest Vegan Yum Yum (http://www.veganyumyum.com), Vegan Lunchbox (http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/), Post Punk Kitchen (http://www.theppk.com), and Kittee's site (http://www.pakupaku.info/). There's Veg Web (http://www.vegweb.com), of course, however if you don't know stuff you can be lead astray here!

Oh also check out this post (http://urbanvegan.blogspot.com/2007/07/summer-express-101-simple-vegan-meals.html) from Urban Vegan about 101easy vegan meals.

Cookbooks recommendations: Veganomicon, Vegan with a Vengeance (good french toast recipe, bad pancake recipe), How it all Vegan, Get it Ripe, Vegan Lunchbox... One that I haven't tried that looks good for you is Quick Fix Vegetarian (which is actually all vegan). This (http://www.amazon.com/Vegetarian-Meals-People-Go-Recipes/dp/1561708437/ref=pd_cp_b_1?pf_rd_p=413864201&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0740763741&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1ZWZV1T8FQEX7QW9BY6Q), this (http://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Vegetarian-Slow-Cooker-Recipes/dp/1558322566/ref=pd_cp_b_2?pf_rd_p=413864201&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0740763741&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1ZWZV1T8FQEX7QW9BY6Q), and this (http://www.amazon.com/New-Becoming-Vegetarian-Essential-Healthy/dp/1570671443/ref=pd_cp_b_3?pf_rd_p=413864201&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0740763741&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1ZWZV1T8FQEX7QW9BY6Q) also seem to be good fits for you.

Mostly my quick meals involve some sort of grain/pasta, some beans, some sauteed or roasted veggies, and some sort of sauce.

I'd be happy to answer any questions. I've been at this for almost 12 years now!

Help me, vegans!

<lj user=j00j>'s friend