Sometimes it take me awhile to get cookin'.  Literally.

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<strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/30/day-61-thankful-for-fellow-t-day-orphans/" target="_blank">6 months ago, I dreamed up the Lusty Cooking Project</a></strong>, and it has finally arrived!  (For even more details, please visit <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/05/day-219-details-on-our-lusty-cooking-project-finally/" target="_blank">here</a></strong>.)

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You, dear Readers, are cordially invited to join me in <span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Late Bloomer's Lusty Cooking Project</span></strong></span>.

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<span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>Who:</strong></span> Me and hopefully, YOU!

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<span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>What:</strong></span> I will cook from Lisa Dahl's luscious cookbook, <strong><em><a href="http://livingdahl.com/elixir-of-life_store.html/" target="_blank">The Elixir of Life</a></em></strong>.  My mother doesn't believe that I can cook for 7 days straight, and I am going to prove her wrong.  You are welcome to follow along in your parallel universe either by participating or living vicariously.  Yes, this will be a food blog for a solid week.  It's all very <em>Julie &amp; Julia</em>.

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<span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>When:</strong></span> From this Friday, May 20th - Thursday, May 26th.

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<span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>Where:</strong></span> My kitchen, and possibly your kitchen.

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<span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>Why: </strong></span> Because, <strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pljyjiIMH9o" target="_blank">like the song says</a></strong>, who doesn't feel lusty in the month of May?  (Also, Dahl's book jacket describes her cooking as "lusty".)  Bonus:  This experience will prep my taste buds for my Grand Italian Adventure in Tuscany this coming September.

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<span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>How: </strong></span>There are detailed instructions in the cookbook.  Come on!  You can do it!

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<span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>How much: </strong></span> The cost of Ms. Dahl's cookbook and ingredients.

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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Here is the menu for your shopping convenience:</strong></span>

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Everyone who is cooking, please open your cookbooks!

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<strong>Friday, May 20th:</strong> <span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>Fig Almond Ambrosi</strong><strong>a p. 51</strong></span> (Sarah, I am bringing this to your boutique party.)

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<strong>Saturday, May 21st: </strong> <span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>Arugula Salad and Radicchio Salad with Shaved Parmesan p.123 </strong></span>(for lunch)

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<strong>Sunday, May 22nd:  <span style="color: #ff9900;">Truffle Mac &amp; Cheese p. 201</span></strong> (Teammates at work, you will be the lucky recipients of leftovers on Monday!)

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<strong>Monday, May 23rd:</strong> <span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>Velvet Celery Leek Soup</strong> <strong>p. 96</strong></span> (Nana will be so proud.  She loves to make soup.  Even when it's 100 degrees outside.  And it will probably be close to that on Monday.  "Soup is so nourishing!" is one of her many mantras.)

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<strong>Tuesday, May 24th: </strong> <span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>Method for A Perfect Bruschetta </strong><strong>p. 64 </strong><span style="color: #000000;">(Neighbors invited!)</span></span>

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<strong>Wednesday, May 25th:</strong> <span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>Fig Eggplant Pizzette</strong> <strong>p. 68 </strong><span style="color: #000000;">(Come on over!)</span></span>

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<strong>Thursday, May 26th: </strong><span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong> Gnocchi Con Funghi E Tartufi</strong> <strong>p. 175 </strong><span style="color: #000000;">(Kimeee, Kim C. and Dina dahling, Mangia with Me!)</span></span>

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If you would like to cook something different, feel free to do so and tell us about it in that day's comment section.  <span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>I always encourage selective rule breaking.  It shows spunk and verve. </strong></span>

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For the <span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>GRAND FINALE,</strong></span> my sister and I will trek to Sedona to sup at one of Ms. Dahl's much raved about restaurants during our Annual Sister Weekend/Wine and Dine Tour.

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We would REALLY LOVE IT if you were our dinner guests.  <span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>RSVP to me</strong></span> either below or through email, facebook, twitter, text, phone (I know it's so old-fashioned)...You know how to reach me!