Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/335336
JULY 2014 | BRAVAMAGAZINE.COM 45 Elizabeth Dahl, co-owner and pastry chef at Nostrano, has garnered her fair share of attention for creating delectable DESSERTS 4HE WˬS ˬ +ˬMES #EˬRD "WˬRD SEMIǠNˬLIST FOR 0UTSTˬNDING Pastry Chef. Despite the warranted at- tention for her baking skills, she says she often "just wants to cook." Hailing from Chicago, Dahl was for- MERLYTHEPˬSTRYCHEFˬT#OKˬ4HEOPENED Nostrano with her husband Tim Dahl three years ago. In addition to shop- ping the market, they have access to a large garden of their own at Kids Ex- press Learning Center (the preschool that Tim's parents operate). Dahl spends her days conceiving des- serts, though, surprisingly, she doesn't eat many. She enjoys incorporating savory elements into her dishes, even stressing the importance of salt to create a balanced last course. She eats lots of sal- ads and vegetables, often ending her meal with an apple (although she admits to a nightly dish of ice cream while currently pregnant with her third child). At home, Dahl makes luscious berry crisps or lets summer fruit stand alone (almost). A perfect bowl of strawberries tossed with salt and topped with softly whipped cream spiked with orange blos- som water and vanilla is a perfect ending to any summer meal. When cooking for her family she keeps the main course simple, too, often in- corporating a featured seasonal item with pasta or risotto and cheese. She CˬNmTGETENOUGHOF3OSˬ#IˬNCˬEGG- plant, a diminutive beauty streaked with white and lavender that is "so creamy." When it's available, Dahl blends it into baba ganoush or throws it on the grill. Her best farm-to-table advice? "Don't overthink it," says Dahl. "You're cooking with such amazing produce, it doesn't need much. When shopping at the su- permarket, go ahead and manipulate it, it probably needs it to taste good—but for summer? Just appreciate how delicious it is when it's that fresh. And keep the in- gredient list short." CHEF ELIZABETH DAHL OF NOSTRANO The Sweetness of Summer