Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Steps

1. 1Place all spud hunks in a 4-quart saucepan and add just enough cold tap water to cover. Add 2 tablespoons of the salt to the pot, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat, about 15 minutes.
2. 2While the potatoes cook, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the garlic and gently simmer until garlic is light gold and fragrant, about 15 minutes.
3. 3Meanwhile, combine the buttermilk and cream in a 2-quart saucepan and bring to a bare simmer over low heat, watching to make sure the mixture doesn’t boil over. Keep the mixture barely bubbling until the potatoes are done.
4. 4When the spud water boils, uncover, drop the heat to a simmer, and cook until the spuds are easily crushed with tongs, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes in a colander or mesh strainer then return them to the pan and the heat. Toss and shake gently for one minute to cook off any excess surface moisture — the drier the spuds are the better.
5. 5Move the pan to a trivet, hot pad, or towel on the countertop and sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Pour all of the garlic butter followed by a quarter of the buttermilk mixture and start mashing. As the spuds break down, add more of the buttermilk mixture until you’re happy with the results. Remember, these are mashed potatoes, not whipped potatoes. If you over-mash in an attempt to smooth every piece, you will inevitably rupture starch granules, which can and most likely will result in gummy potatoes.
6. 6Serve straight or garnish with parsley, chopped scallions, crumbled bacon, sun dried tomatoes, grated horseradish, horseradish sauce, pesto, more bacon, sauteed mushrooms...use your imagination.