Mostly I use mine for beef putting the potatoes and carrots on the bottom and the roast or stewing beef or steak(cut into chunks) on the top along with some onions.

I either spray the crockpot dish or rub with vegetable oil before using and that helps with cleanup. Basically we eat, I put all the leftovers in the fridge and then the crock bowl that removes in the sink with hot water and dishsoap in it. Rarely is it not ready to wash out later in the night.

I do find if you cook longer on low that the food around the edges doesn't get as well done or stick as compared to a shorter time on high.

Whenever I am looking recipes without a certain ingredient I often look at sites aimed at people with allergies. So for dairy anyone on a vegetarian diet may also be dairy free so a good option to google.