Celery Root Velouté

3 tablespoons salted butter

1 celery root (about 2 pounds), peeled and cut into small cubes

Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 cups whole milk

3/4 cup chicken stock

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Extra-virgin olive oil

Piment D"espelette or mild chile powder

6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp

In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the celery root, season with salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Pour in the milk and stock and bring the soup to a simmer. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer until the celery root is tender, about 20 minutes.

Purée the soup, preferable using an immersion blender. Stir in the mustard and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, drizzling each portion with a little olive oil and sprinkling with a pinch of piment d'Espelette. Top each bowl with a slice of bacon.