The Waverly Inn's Truffled Mac & Cheese

By Chef John DeLucie

Ingredients:

• 1    pound elbow macaroni  or cavatappi
• 1    tablespoon table salt 
• 5    tablespoons unsalted butter 
• 6    tablespoons all-purpose flour 
• 1 1/2  teaspoons powdered mustard or dijon
• 5  cups milk (see note)
• 8  ounces Monterey Jack cheese , shredded (2 cups)
• 8  ounces sharp cheddar cheese , shredded (2 cups)
• 1  teaspoon table salt 
• Da Rosario white truffle oil to taste
• 1 fresh truffle

Preparation:
1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat broiler. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven over high heat. Add macaroni and 1 tablespoon salt; cook until pasta is tender. Drain pasta and set aside in colander.
2. In now-empty Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-high heat until foaming. Add flour, mustard, and cayenne (if using) and whisk well to combine. Continue whisking until mixture becomes fragrant and deepens in color, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk; bring mixture to boil, whisking constantly (mixture must reach full boil to fully thicken). Reduce heat to medium and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened to consistency of heavy cream, about 5 minutes. Off heat, whisk in cheeses and 1 teaspoon salt until cheeses are fully melted. Add pasta and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is steaming and heated through, about 6 minutes.
4. Transfer mixture to broiler-safe 9-by 13-inch baking dish and Broil until crumbs are deep golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes, rotating pan if necessary for even browning. Cool about 5 minutes, then serve.
5. Shave seasonal truffles over each serving.

Address: 16 Bank Street, at Waverly Place
Phone: No listed number.