This dish was born out of the pandemic, when stretching ingredients while keeping them nourishing felt like both a necessity and an experiment. What emerged was more than food—it was a recipe that carried us through, ticking all the boxes:
此菜式誕生於疫情期間，當時延展食材的用量，同時保持其營養價值，既屬必需，亦如實驗。最終呈現的不僅僅是食物，而是一份陪伴我們渡過難關的食譜，並滿足各項要求：

• Plant-based goodness (walnuts, mushrooms, onion)
  植物性的滋養（核桃、蘑菇、洋蔥）
• Brain-and-gut nourishment backed by science and tradition
  科學與傳統並重的腦腸雙重滋養
• Soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free
  不含大豆、麩質、乳製品及雞蛋
• Full of flavor, low-GI, and heart-healthy
  味道濃郁、低升糖指數、益於心臟健康

Even the mushroom-hater was fooled, and the “food critic” daughter approved. The only challenge? It vanished too quickly to become leftovers.
連最抗拒蘑菇的人亦被蒙混過去，而素來挑剔的「美食評論家」女兒亦表示認同。唯一的挑戰是：此菜往往瞬即吃清，從未能留下剩餘。

Mushrooms: From Mystery to Medicine
蘑菇：由神秘至藥用

Across cultures, mushrooms have long been cloaked in myth. Ancient Romans reserved them for the divine, while in Chinese tradition, certain mushrooms symbolized longevity and spiritual power. Folklore across Europe called them gifts from the gods, sprouting overnight like hidden treasures.
自古以來，蘑菇在各種文化中均被神話環繞。古羅馬人視之為神聖之物，而在中國傳統中，某些蘑菇象徵長壽與靈力。歐洲的民間傳說則稱之為神祇的饋贈，能於一夜之間冒現，宛如隱秘的寶藏。

Today, science echoes that reverence: white button mushrooms bring B vitamins, selenium for immune defense, and one of nature’s rare plant-based sources of vitamin D. Their polysaccharides are even studied for immune and anti-cancer support.
今日，科學亦印證了這份敬畏：白蘑菇含有維他命B、具免疫防護作用的硒元素，並屬自然界中罕有的植物性維他命D來源。其所含的多醣體更被研究用於支持免疫系統及抗癌。

Walnuts: The Brain’s Mirror
核桃：腦之鏡像

In TCM and ancient Mediterranean thought, walnuts were linked to the brain because of their uncanny resemblance—a living example of food reflecting function. That intuition endures, backed by modern research. Rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, melatonin, and urolithins, walnuts are celebrated each year at the University of California’s Walnut Conference, where scientists continue to uncover their roles in supporting cognition, hormone balance, and gut health.
在中醫及古代地中海思想之中，核桃因其形態酷似腦部，而被視為與腦相關之食材——正是「以形補形」的活例。此直覺延續至今，並獲現代科研支持。核桃富含奧米加-3、抗氧化物、褪黑激素及尿石素。於加州大學每年舉辦的核桃會議上，科學家不斷揭示其於認知、荷爾蒙平衡及腸道健康方面的作用。

This dish brings mushrooms and walnuts together—two ancient foods honored for their healing power—into a simple, nourishing recipe for modern families.
此菜式將蘑菇與核桃結合——兩種自古以來被尊崇為具療癒力的食材——化為一道簡單而滋養的食譜，獻給現代家庭。

Ingredients
食材

Main
主料

• 128g Unsalted walnuts (soaked 10–20 min)
  128克 無鹽核桃（浸泡10–20分鐘）
• 283g Cremini or White Button mushrooms (washed & diced)
  283克 啡菇或白蘑菇（洗淨並切粒）
• 40g diced fresh onion or 20g dried onion
  40克 鮮洋蔥切粒 或 20克 乾洋蔥

Seasonings
調味料

• 1 tsp Garlic powder
  1茶匙 蒜粉
• 2 tbsp Ground cumin
  2湯匙 孜然粉
• 1 tbsp Cayenne powder
  1湯匙 辣椒粉
• 1 tbsp Paprika powder
  1湯匙 紅椒粉
• 250ml Tomato paste or pesto
  250毫升 番茄蓉 或 香草醬
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
  1茶匙 乾牛至
• ½ tsp Pure maple syrup or monk fruit powder
  ½茶匙 楓糖漿 或 羅漢果粉
• 1 bunch Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  1束 新鮮芫荽，切碎
• Pinch of salt & pepper, to taste
  少許 鹽及黑椒，隨個人口味

Optional
可選

• Fresh lime juice
  鮮青檸汁

Instructions
做法

1. Soak walnuts in filtered water for 10 minutes (or until softened). Drain and set aside.
   將核桃放入過濾水中浸泡約10分鐘（或直至變軟），瀝乾備用。
2. Add walnuts and mushrooms to a food processor. Pulse until they resemble ground meat.
   將核桃及蘑菇放入攪拌機，攪打至近似碎肉狀。
3. In a pan over medium heat, sauté onions and garlic with olive oil until translucent.
   中火加熱鍋子，以橄欖油炒香洋蔥及蒜至透明。
4. Add the “meat” mixture to the pan with the remaining ingredients.
   將「肉碎」混合物與其餘調味料加入鍋中。
5. Mix well, cook until browned and softened.
   攪拌均勻，烹調至呈金黃色並變軟。
6. Finish with lime juice and serve with tacos, tortillas, or tortilla chips.
   最後加上青檸汁，即可配搭塔可餅、墨西哥薄餅或粟米片享用。

Bon Appetite x

Photos: Noirstone | Unsplash Alex Plesovskich| Unsplash Justus Menke| Unsplash Damir Omerović | Unsplash Jeremy Boley