When Chef Robin Hinz was asked to create vegan meals for several women’s spiritual retreats held annually at Saguaro Lake Ranch near Mesa, Arizona, she jumped at the chance. This was a fortuitous opportunity to “veganize” a cuisine heavy on meat and dairy products. "Into the Cactus Kitchen: Vegan Cooking with a Southwest Flair" is the result of this wildly successful experiment which resulted in a four-year relationship with the women’s retreat group. Whether you adhere to a strict vegan diet, are experimenting with vegetarianism, or simply want to avoid dairy, if you love Tex-Mex, this cookbook is for you. Recipes like Chef Robin’s Very Special Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing and Roasted Vegetable Tamale Pie are so delectable you won’t miss the meat or the dairy. Along with dozens of delicious recipes, the chef has provided important nutritional information, kitchen gear suggestions, and additional creative tips to guide you along. Enhanced with Hinz’ own photographs, this cookbook is full of picturesque images from America’s Southwest, mouth-watering food, and fun facts. Let "Into the Cactus Kitchen" become your favorite go-to cookbook, the kind with smudged pages, dog ears, and favorite recipes to impress your friends and family.