Help me build a vegan kitchen

[isosmom]

I've switched to vegan after over 15 years of being veg. It's working great. I'm moving soon and so will be starting from scratch with my pantry, fridge, etc. I was hoping you other mama's and papa's could help me build up my food supplies so I have stuff on hand to eat. I am not adverse to a few convenience foods either, so frozen, dried whatever, I will really appreciate the advice since dd is always hungry, and ds is soon on the way:p

[duckie1978]

EnerG Egg Replacer is awesome! The box will last for quite a while so it is worth the expense.

Bulk flours like whole wheat pastry flour, whole wheat flour, and wheat gluten are handy to have around.

I buy baking soda in bulk, along with TVP flakes and chunks. I love being able to whip up tacos in less than 10 minutes!

Staples I keep on hand are peanut butter, veggie gravy, dried or canned beans, veggie boullin, canned tomatoes, dried fruits (raisins, fruit leathers), vegan chocolate chips, cereal (I can't get enough cereal!!), oats, sugar replacers, maple syrup, pastas, couscous, rices-brown (instant or regular), jasmine, basmati, even instant white. Oh cornstarch and agar is useful for thickening sauces.

[vegma]

I cook 2 - 4 pounds of dried beans at a time and freeze them in one or two cup packages. Then I always have cheap, organic, salt-free beans available for hummus, soups, burgers, etc. I've recently dedicated the freezer side of my fridge to whole grains, nuts, and seeds. I buy them in bulk at natural food stores and straight into the freezer they go (a frozen pantry moth is better than one taking over my kitchen!):) Oh yes, I always have tamari and blackstrap molasses on hand too!! Have fun stocking up:D

[Christa]

With a little one in the house, I'll give a few suggestions for convenience foods that my 3 & 5 year old like.

1) Boxed Shells & Chreese or 123s & Chreese - basically a vegan Mac & Cheese. My kids like it if I add some Earth Balance margarine & a little vegan parmesean when I add the soy milk. On that note, I'd have Silk soy milk or another non-dairy milk in the fridge & Earth Balance in the fridge, as well.

2) My kids really like Amy's Toaster Pops - healthy version of pop tarts. I think that they are whole wheat, there's no frosting & it is basically filled w/ pureed fruit. They need to be kept in the freezer.

3) Unpopped popcorn. Pop some up in a little oil & sprinkle with nutritional yeast & salt. My girls love this! You need nutritional yeast here, too.

4) Hain makes mini rice cakes in a few flavors (pb, chocolate, etc.). They are called "Mini Munchies" and have 10% of your dv for calcium in one serving.

5) Nuts - almonds, cashews, etc.

6) not needed, but as a treat, Crystal Geyser makes carbonated juice called "Juice Squeeze." It comes in glass bottles & my kids like "bubble juice" when their friends are drinking soda. As a bonus, it has 40% of your dv for B-12 in one little bottle. I have to buy this at our health food store, as the grocery store doesn't carry it.

[annie7]

Glass jars! If you plan on storing rice, pasta, beans, Bulgar, TVP, wheat germ, etc... in your pantry for any length of time (which I do!) get them out of those plastics!! Not only is it healthier from the standpoint of plastic toxins not leaching onto your food.... but it just looks prettier too.;)

[mabelkitty]

Oh boy! I am trying to wean myself off of soda, and I have found that Juice Squeeze is the best substitute (even though it doesn't come in a cherry cola flavor). I have tried the ginseng cola, which is good too. But I like the Juice Squeeze -- they just came out with a new flavor, called Orange Lime. It is really good!

I second the nutritional yeast. I can't believe how "cheesy" it smells. I put it on various things, including popcorn -- an idea I got from these boards. I get the nutritional yeast in bulk at Whole Foods, and keep it in a pretty glass jar -- annie is right about that :D !

[tricia]

i saw a bunch of mason jars at the thrift store with all the lids and stuff for .10 a bottle.. and they are the big ones..

im goin this weekend to get some... i need to get rid of my plastic stuff... unfortunately plastic is all they pretty much sell at the dollar store to store stuff...

[duckie1978]

I also keep a variety of vinegars: balsamic, rice, red wine, cider, and white.

I second the glass jars. For dry powders that I store in smaller quantities I reuse my peanut butter and jelly jars.