Crown of Shrimp with Truffle Sauce

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Blanch chives in a 2-quart pot of boiling salted water 2 seconds, then transfer with tongs to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Drain chives in a colander and spread in 1 layer on paper towels.

   Step 2

   Stand 5 shrimp together in a tight circle, tails up and touching in center, then tie tails together with 2 or 3 chives (be careful not to break them), wrapping them about 1 inch down from top of tails. Make 5 more "crowns" with remaining shrimp and chives. Chill, covered, on a plate.

   Step 3

   Cook celery root in 1/2 teaspoon oil in a 6-inch nonstick skillet over moderately low heat, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender but not brown, about 4 minutes, and transfer to a bowl. Cook parsnips, turnips, and squash separately, each in 1/2 teaspoon oil in same manner, transferring to bowl with celery root. Season vegetables with salt and pepper and keep warm, covered.

   Step 4

   Whisk together warm water and one fourth of truffle butter in a 5-quart wide heavy pot over moderately low heat until just incorporated. Add remaining butter one third at a time, whisking until all butter is incorporated. Stand shrimp in butter mixture and poach at a bare simmer, covered, until just cooked through, about 10 minutes.

   Step 5

   Spoon chestnut purée into centers of 6 plates and top with crowns of shrimp. Pour 1/4 cup truffle sauce around each serving and sprinkle vegetables over plate, letting them fall around shrimp.