Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 3 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled
• 1 stick butter, cubed
• 1 cup heavy cream, warmed
• 2 cloves garlic (optional)
• Kosher salt
• White pepper
• Chopped chives to finish

Instructions

1. 1

   Cut the potatoes into even chunks and start them in cold, heavily salted water so they cook through at the same rate.

2. 2

   Simmer rather than boil until a knife slides in with no resistance, then drain them thoroughly in a colander.

3. 3

   Return the potatoes to the dry hot pot for a minute, shaking gently, so the surface moisture steams off and they turn floury.

4. 4

   Rice or mash them while still hot, then beat in the butter first so the fat coats the starch before any liquid goes in.

5. 5

   Fold in the warm cream a little at a time until the texture is exactly as loose as you like it, season, and finish with chives.