Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). 2.
Peel the daikon radishes and slice them into uniform ¼-inch (6mm) thick rounds.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the daikon slices and boil for 15 minutes to soften them slightly and remove any bitterness.
Drain thoroughly in a colander. 3. Generously grease a 10x7. 5-inch (or a similar 2-quart) baking dish with butter.
Arrange half of the drained daikon slices in an even layer on the bottom.
Season with ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper. Dot with half of the softened cream cheese, then sprinkle with ½ cup of the Parmesan and ½ cup of the cheddar. 4.
Top with the remaining daikon slices to create a second layer.
Season with the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper. Dot with the rest of the cream cheese and top evenly with the remaining 1½ cups of Parmesan and ½ cup of cheddar. 5. Gently pour the heavy cream over the entire dish, allowing it to seep down through the layers. 6.
Bake for 50 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. 7.
Let the gratin rest for 10 minutes before serving. This is crucial as it allows the sauce to set.
Garnish with fresh thyme leaves and crumbled bacon, if desired, then slice and serve warm.
Don't skip par-boiling the daikon. This step is key to removing the radish's natural bitterness and achieving a tender, potato-like consistency.