Ingredients

• 1 pound butter (recommended: Plugra)
• 1 shallot, diced
• 1/2 cup champagne vinegar
• 2 cups good white wine
• 1 quart heavy cream
• 1 pound Vermont Cheddar, cubed
• 2 egg whites
• 2 cups grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons diced fresh chives
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
• 1 pound elbow noodles, cooked al dente
• 2 cups fresh corn, blanched
• 8 ounces apple smoked bacon, chopped and rendered
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 ounces butter, plus 4 ounces
• 2 shallots, diced
• 1 bulb celery root, peeled and diced
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream, as needed
• 3 teaspoons chopped truffles
• Salt
• Freshly ground white pepper
• White truffle oil, to taste
• 5 baby celery ribs
• 2 tablespoons chive oil

Instructions

1. Special equipment: a ring mold
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
3. Put butter in a 4-quart heavy bottom pan; melt slowly. Add the shallots and sweat for 10 minutes. Add vinegar and white wine and reduce for 15 minutes. Pour in cream and reduce by half. Transfer to blender; slowly add Cheddar while pulsing to heavy thickness. Hold warm.
4. In a medium bowl, lightly whisk 2 egg whites. In a separate medium bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
5. For the cake:
6. Place noodles, bacon, and corn in a large bowl; toss with fonduta until well coated. Place mixture in a shallow baking dish. Place a weight on top of it (e.g. another baking dish) and press for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Once set, ring mold 5 cakes. Dip top of each cake in egg white, then into breading. In a nonstick pan, melt butter and olive oil until just crackling. Place cakes, bread side down on pan. Saute 4 minutes; place in oven for 8 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Keep warm.
7. For the puree:
8. Melt 4 ounces of butter. Saute shallots 5 minutes. Add celery root and milk and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes. Drain and place celery root in a blender. Add the remaining 4 ounces of butter and blend until smooth adding the cream, as needed. Season truffles with salt, pepper, and white truffle oil. Stir in truffles. Hold warm.
9. To assemble:
10. Place a pool of celery sauce on each plate. Place macaroni and cheese cake in center. Garnish with baby celery and chive oil.