Cook the Book: Truffle and Cognac Cream Macaroni and Cheese
Manhattan's très chic West Village restaurant, The Waverly Inn, has a $55 version of macaroni and cheese on the menu made with shaved fresh truffles. Much has been blogged about the tremendous price, but everyone seems to be in agreement that the taste is fabulous.
If you don't live in New York, or if, like me, your budget is more Annie's than outrageous, why not try making a similar dish at home? Today's Cook the Book recipe, excerpted from Top Chef: The Cookbook, is for Truffle and Cognac Cream Macaroni and Cheese. To follow the recipe exactly you'll have to splurge on the Perigord black truffles, but you could also omit them—the cognac and sherry add a healthy dose of extravagance on their own.
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Truffle and Cognac Cream Macaroni and Cheese
- makes 4 to 6 servings -
Adapted from Top Chef: The Cookbook
Ingredients
Unsalted butter for the baking dishes
1 cup of cognac
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small shallot, minced
6 roasted garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon sherry
6 ounces Perigord black truffles: 3 ounces finely chopped, 1 1/2 ounces thinly sliced with a truffle slicer, mandoline, or very sharp knife, and 1 1/2 ounces finely grated
4 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
6 ounces Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 2 cups), plus more for sprinkling
2 teaspoons chipotle Tabasco sauce
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound fresh penne or other pasta, cooked al dente
8 ounces fontina cheese, finely grated (about 2 1/2 cups)
2 cups seasoned sourdough croutons
Procedure:
1. Generously butter the bottom and sides of 4 to 6 medium baking dishes. Set aside.
2. Place the cognac in a small saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by half, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook until the vegetables are softened but not browned, about 3 minutes. Add the sherry and stir until evaporated. Add the chopped truffles, cream, reduced cognac, oregano and thyme.
4. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced by half and the truffle flavor is infused, about 20 minutes. Watch the pot carefully so the cream doesn’t boil over. Add the Parmesan cheese, Tabasco, and salt and pepper to taste. Add the cooked pasta and fontina cheese and stir until the cheeses are melted. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Set aside.
5. Place the croutons in a food processor and process until broken down into crumbs.
6. Arrange a layer of truffle slices on the bottom of each baking dish.
7. Divide the pasta among the baking dishes and top with the crouton crumbs, grated truffles, and a sprinkling on Parmesan cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until bubbly and browned on top.
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3 Comments:
I would make butternut squash ravioli with a maple-sage brown butter. Simply divine!
durhamama at 3:20PM on 05/27/08
Odd that you don't mention that this is on the menu at Crave on 42nd Street, where Dave Martin (who created the dish on the show) is the chef.
And the dish is only $15.
salty_sticky at 11:48AM on 05/28/08
My dish would probably be penna ala vodka with prociutto, because it's one of the only recipes I know by heart. :)
akeeran21 at 12:48PM on 05/28/08