VERMONT WHITE CHEDDAR MAC N' CHEESE CAKE

Vermont White Cheddar Mac N' Cheese Cake image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 28

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

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
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.
In a medium bowl, lightly whisk 2 egg whites. In a separate medium bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
For the cake:
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.
For the puree:
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.
To assemble:
Place a pool of celery sauce on each plate. Place macaroni and cheese cake in center. Garnish with baby celery and chive oil.