Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 4 lb russet or Yukon gold potatoes
• 3 cloves garlic, optional
• ⅓ cup melted salted butter
• 1 cup milk or cream, warmed
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Method

1. 01

   Boil: Peel and quarter the potatoes. Put them in a pot of cold salted water with the garlic cloves if using. Bring to a boil and cook uncovered about 15 minutes, until fork-tender. Drain thoroughly (a few minutes in the warm pot helps drive off leftover moisture).

2. 02

   Mash: Warm the milk. Add melted butter to the potatoes and mash by hand. Stream in warm milk a little at a time until creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.