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

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

I just made Chinese kale stir-fry, first toasting tofu in garlic and ginger. It's obviously best if you marinate, but in a hurry as I was today, just adding the curry powder and soy sauce and, if need be, some veggie stock to prevent burning is fine. If you like it richer, add coconut milk*.

Super-fast dish, and v. healthy, obvs: the veggies don't really cook along; they steam.

* coconut milk IS a staple vegan ingredient; you can use it in lieu of cream. Works in every single dish I tried, but of course, you do have to like the taste.

Other stuff awesome and versatile would be lentils (I prefer small or split because they can then cook in 15 min.) and nuts, of course. As for starchier stuff, I like edible chestnuts, and I heartily recommend baby/mini potatoes, which don't just cook fast but are healthy and yummy at once. (Fair warning, am German, am genetically pre-disposed towards them.)