If you haven’t already, soak the walnuts in boiling water for at least 30 minutes (this will help absorb nutrients while softening them for the next step).

After soaking the walnuts, drain them and pulse them in a food processor or blender until they reach a ground meat-like consistency. Be sure not to over-blend/process, or it will turn to walnut butter.

Add oil to a frying pan over medium-high heat.

When the oil is ready, sauté the onions until they become translucent (approximately 5 minutes). Warning: this will look like a lot of onion, but you need them all to make the recipe work.

After sauteing the onions, add the garlic and allow it to cook for 1 - 2 minutes before adding the seasoning of your choice and stirring well. Depending on what you’re using the meat for will determine how to season the walnut meat (e.g., taco seasoning is great for tacos, while Italian seasoning is great for making Italian-style meat sauce).

Add in the chopped walnuts and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir and let cook for about one minute.

Add the coconut aminos and liquid smoke, and stir well. Cook for another 4-5 minutes before taking it off the stove and serving.