Celery Root Confit Recipes

GRATIN OF CELERY ROOT AND POTATO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Slice the potatoes into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Peel the celery root and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices to resemble the potatoes.
• Butter a heavy oval casserole dish. Layer the potatoes in the bottom of the dish, followed by the butter and then a layer of celery root. Sprinkle with sea salt. Top with a layer of half of the cheese. Repeat with the remaining potato and celery root. Top with the cream and then the remaining cheese.
• Bake until deep golden brown, about 1 hour.

DUCK CONFIT SLIDERS

Steps:

• Add the duck fat to a heavy pot and allow it to melt over low heat. Mix the salt, brown sugar, cinnamon, cumin and paprika in a small mixing bowl. Pat the duck legs with paper towels and sprinkle all sides generously with the spice mix. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• Remove and place the legs skin-side up in the duck fat, making sure they're completely submerged. Add the peppercorns and coriander seeds. Using an instant-read thermometer, bring the duck fat to a lazy simmer, 165 to 175 degrees F. Gently confit the legs in the simmering fat until the duck is fork tender, about 2 1/2 hours. Remove and cool.
• Meanwhile, add the reserved duck trimmings to a pan and cook to render the fat over low heat. Place onto a paper-towel-lined plate and reserve until serving.
• Using a sharp knife, remove the skin from the legs. Using two forks, shred the confit following the grain of the protein. Mix with 1/4 cup of the confit fat.
• Set a flat top griddle over high heat. Sear the skin on both sides to make a crunchy, cracklin'-style texture, about 7 minutes total. Finely julienne and set aside. Add the confit to the griddle in batches and crisp until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
• To assemble, spread Cranberry Jam onto the tops and bottoms of each bun. Build sliders with 2 ounces (about 1/4 cup) of confit, then a layer of crispy skin. Top with 2 tablespoons Fennel and Celery Root Slaw. Replace the top bun. Serve immediately with Butternut Squash Chips.
• In a medium saucepot, bring the oil to medium heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the onions, season with some salt and pepper and brown for 5 to 7 minutes. Deglaze with the cranberry juice and stir to scrape up any browned bits. Add the cranberries and red wine vinegar. Simmer to completely soften the cranberries and until the jam is thickened and glossy, about 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in lemon juice to taste. Season again with salt and pepper as desired.
• Transfer to a serving dish and serve warm. Can be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week.
• In a large mixing bowl, briskly whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, dugar, mustard and salt and pepper to taste until smooth. Toss the celery root, carrots, apples, fennel and 2 tablespoons of the reserved fennel fronds into the dressing to coat evenly.
• Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to fully integrate.
• Remove and toss again. Serve garnished with a few more fennel fronds.
• In a small mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the salt, garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar, black pepper and cayenne. Set aside.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the tubular top portion away from the globe-shaped bottoms of both squash. Using the knife or a mandoline, shave the tops into chips. Submerge the chips in a deep container with ice water for 10 minutes (this removes any extra starch and makes the chips crispy). Strain the chips and pat dry.
• Meanwhile, using an instant-read thermometer, bring 3 inches of duck fat to 325 degrees F in a heavy gauge Dutch oven over medium heat. Working in batches, fry the chips until they are golden and crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer with a fine mesh strainer to a paper-towel-lined dish. Season immediately with a sprinkle of spice mix. Repeat until all chips are fried. Transfer to a large bowl and serve.

CELERY ROOT BISQUE WITH DUCK CONFIT AND CRACKLINGS

Steps:

• If using duck leg, peel off skin and reserve. Remove meat from bones, discarding bones, and shred meat.
• Cut reserved duck skin into thin strips and in a small non-stick skillet cook over moderate heat until fat is rendered and skin is crisp and golden brown. Transfer cracklings with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain and season with salt.
• With a sharp knife peel celery root and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Thinly slice shallots and chop celery ribs.
• In an 8-quart heavy kettle cook vegetables in butter with salt and pepper to taste over moderately high heat, stirring, until golden, about 6 minutes. Add water and boil, uncovered, until celery root is very tender, about 15 minutes.
• In a blender purée mixture in batches (use caution when blending hot liquids) until smooth, transferring to a large saucepan. Stir in lemon juice and, if necessary, more water to reach desired consistency. Season soup with salt and pepper and keep warm.
• In a non-stick skillet heat duck meat over moderate heat, stirring, just until hot and season with salt and pepper.
• In a bowl whisk cream just until stiff peaks form.
• Serve bisque topped with duck meat, cracklings, and a dollop of whipped cream.

ROASTED CELERY ROOT WITH CUMIN AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and put a baking sheet inside. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Lightly chop the cumin seeds and add to a medium bowl. Trim the ends off the celery root, then peel and discard the exterior. Cut the root into 3/4-inch-thick planks and then into 3/4-inch cubes. Toss the cubes in the bowl with the cumin seeds, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
• Halve the red onion and thinly slice. Remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and spread the cubes in an even layer. Add the onion slices to the bowl the celery root was in and coat with the residual oil and seasonings. Arrange the onions on top of the celery root and put back into the oven to roast. (If the onions are in contact with the pan for the entire cooking time, they could get too dark or burn.)
• When the cubes begin to brown on the bottom, about 15 minutes, toss the vegetables around, scattering the onions around the pan and flatten again into one layer. Continue to roast until the vegetables are very soft when pierced with a knife, about 10 minutes more. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before tossing with the parsley leaves and a drizzle of olive oil.