“Sometimes luck is random. Sometimes it's well-earned. But every time, it comes from putting your trust in the unknown.”
-Wise Woman of the Veil

A Bite of Luck

“You always know how to keep this place looking nice, Little Bloom,” Ma Violette told Thistle warmly. “The flowers have remained enchanted throughout fall and winter. Your magic is growing stronger.”

Thistle’s ears burned at that, and her cheeks began to heat up like the pot of soup bubbling under The Wise Woman’s nose. No matter how long she’d mentored her, a compliment from Ma Violette never failed to provoke a strong reaction.

“Oh yeah, these?” Thistle laughed nervously, gesturing to the flowers on the windowsill. “I made sure to pick extra-strong ones last fall—ones that might have survived the cold of the winter even without magic. Though, I guess it never really gets too cold here in the Blooming Glade. And it’s probably just because the spells you teach us are so strong. Nothing to do with me or my magic.”

Ma Violette just smiled.

"And, you know... I'm rambling again. Why don't I gather a couple for the table?"

Thistle quickly turned to grab a vase so The Wise Woman of the Veil wouldn’t see the flush creeping over her face, then reached for the flowers. She paused for a second, assessing which ones would match the table spread. Pink, white, and a few purple would do. Then she plucked a few that looked good and strong and quickly placed them in a vase.

Ma Violette gasped. Thistle was often known to be distressed by the idea of picking flowers. She didn’t like to see them die. But with an extended finger and a touch of her growth magic, she encouraged the roots to grow so that they could sit happily, drinking the water in the vase.

“There you go, that should keep you comfortable until I put you back in your pot,” she whispered to the flowers.

Ma Violette nodded. “A temporary cut doesn’t mean you stop growing.”

Thistle beamed, excited that the trick warranted such a proud response from Ma Violette. Distracted, she accidentally knocked over the salt while moving too quickly, sending it spilling directly into the ashes of the hearth.

"Oh no! Bad luck!" she squealed. "Just what I need," she muttered sadly to herself, "with already so much at stake." Already rushing toward her spice cabinet, she grabbed the grimoire sitting by the hearth, flipping through the pages, trying to figure out the fastest spell.

Before she got too far, Ma Violette gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh, Thistle," she chuckled. "No need to let our brunch go cold. Let's use this as our lesson for the day and try some Reader’s Realm magic to work with what we already have prepared."

Thistle raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"Well," Ma Violette paused, "I’m not sure you’re going to like it."

She turned toward the oven and pulled out a tray of large, browned, stuffed portobello mushrooms.

"Just a little kitchen magic!" she exclaimed. "Back in the Reader’s Realm, mushrooms are associated with luck. Instead of reversing bad luck, let’s balance it out with some good."

"Mushrooms!?" Thistle recoiled. "But I hate mushrooms!"

"Well, how could you hate something you’ve never tried?" Ma Violette teased. "You’re over a hundred twenty-five years old, living in a place where mushrooms grow abundantly and seldom get you sick. I think it’s time to try something new, Little Bloom."

"Because look at them!" Thistle groaned. "They're so brown and wrinkly, and no matter how much you clean them, they still look speckled in dirt!"

"Well, I’m brown, wrinkly, and often speckled with dirt—and you don’t seem to mind me," Ma Violette said while playfully crossing her arms.

Thistle also crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Still not convinced."

"Listen, Little Bloom," Ma Violette said gently. "Sometimes luck is random. Sometimes it's well-earned. But every time, it comes from putting your trust in the unknown."

Thistle sighed. She looked at the plate. Even though mushrooms weren’t her favorite, Ma Violette always did a beautiful job in the kitchen. She could see the cottage cheese—something she actually did like—tucked inside, along with a speckling of fresh forest herbs from her garden.

"Okay," she said warily. "Just one bite. And that should be enough to reverse the bad luck?"

"Just one bite," Ma Violette confirmed. "And if you don’t want to finish the rest, well, that just means more for me. But I doubt that’ll happen."

Just touching the skin made her want to shrivel up like… well, a stuffed mushroom! But when she glanced up, Ma Violette was watching her expectantly, eyes full of warmth.

With a deep breath, Thistle closed her eyes and took a bite.

Instantly, it was better than she ever imagined. The stuffed mushroom had an earthiness that reminded her of her favorite root vegetables, but there was also a savory warmth from the aromatics and cheese inside.

"Oh… oh wow," she mumbled between bites. "This is much better than I would have thought. Have you enchanted these?"

Ma Violette laughed. "Just a little seasoning. The only enchantment is my skill with a skillet."

Thistle nodded, still savoring the bite. "Okay… maybe this isn’t the worst way to reverse my luck after all."

"Maybe not," Ma Violette said with a knowing smile. "Now, let’s eat."

To this day, Thistle always boasts that mushrooms have been her favorite forage, and Ma Violette is happy to keep her secret.

🍄Stuffed Mushrooms🌠

Good luck never tasted so good

Recipe:

Recipe Information

Total Time: ~30 minutes
Skill Level: Beginner
Category: Bites – Appetizers

Dietary Information:

✅ 🌿 Vegetarian (if using a plant-based filling)
✅ 🥛 Contains Dairy (swap cottage cheese for a vegan alternative if needed)
❌ 🍄 Not Suitable for Mushroom Allergies

⚠ Potential Sensitivities:

🔸 🥛 Contains Dairy (swap for plant-based cheese)
🔸 🍄 Contains Mushrooms (not suitable for those with sensitivities)

🌿 Substitutions & Notes:

• Dairy-Free Option: Swap cottage cheese for Kite Hill Almond Milk Ricotta or Violife Creamy Spread.
• Protein Choices: Ground beef, Impossible meat, finely chopped mushroom stems, or any preferred protein.

🍀Herbs for Luck, Bravery & New Adventures:

• Parsley – Invites good fortune and opens doors to new opportunities.
• Thyme – Strengthens courage and determination when facing the unknown.
• Chives – Encourages boldness and taking risks for growth.

Ingredients:

🌿 2 large portobello mushrooms – A vessel of fortune, grounding, and hidden potential.
🌿 1 small onion, finely chopped – For wisdom and seeing things clearly.
🌿 2 tbsp butter – A touch of richness, comfort, and steady resolve.
🌿 ½ tsp salt – To purify and draw out what is hidden.
🌿 ½ cup filling of choice (chopped mushroom stems, ground beef, Impossible meat, or preferred protein) – The core of transformation and adaptation.
🌿 ¼ cup cottage cheese (or dairy-free alternative) – A creamy balance, representing adaptability and trust in the process.
🌿 Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or chives) – Symbols of luck, bravery, and stepping into new experiences.

🔪 Method

Prepare the Mushrooms

• Remove the stems and wash the portobello caps well.
• Set them out on a cookie rack or towel to dry completely.

Make the Filling

• Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.
• Add the chopped onions and cook until softened.
• Sprinkle in the salt to help release moisture.
• Add your filling of choice (chopped mushroom stems, ground beef, Impossible meat, etc.).
• Cook until fully browned and well-seasoned.

Assemble the Mushrooms

• Once the mushrooms are dry, fill them with the cooked filling—leaving a little room on top.
• Spoon cottage cheese (or dairy-free alternative) over each stuffed mushroom.
• Sprinkle with fresh herbs to infuse the dish with luck and boldness.

Bake & Broil

• Place the mushrooms in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 15 minutes.
• Turn on the broiler on high for 2–3 minutes to brown the tops.

Serve & Enjoy

• Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and enjoy your warm, savory stuffed mushrooms.

✨ Best Enjoyed...

• Before a big decision, to summon courage and trust in the unknown.
• On the eve of something new, as a small act of bravery in the face of change.
• With a glass of herbal tea or spiced cider, grounding yourself before stepping forward.
• By candlelight or near an open window, where fresh air stirs new possibilities.