Ingredients

  • For the Garlic Paste
  • 3 whole garlic heads
  • 1/2 cup pure olive oil
  • sea salt
  • fresh ground pepper
  • For the Potatoes
  • 2 lbs yukon gold potatoes
  • 1 - 1 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon garlic paste
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, to taste
  • sea salt, preferably gray sea salt
  • fresh ground black pepper

Method

  • The night before, cube the potatoes, and put them in a large saucepan with salted cold water and place in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Roast the garlic: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, peel the outermost layers of skin off the heads of garlic; cut off the top 1/3 of the heads to open the cloves and heat olive oil in a large oven-safe saute pan over medium heat; Add garlic, and saute for about 10 minutes; Season with salt and pepper and transfer pan to the oven to roast for 15 minutes; Remove from heat and let cool.
  • For the garlic paste: Pop garlic cloves from their skins and place cloves in a blender, along with any olive oil left in the pan; Puree until smooth; you should have a paste-like consistency.
  • For the potatoes: The next day, add some more salt and then bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Drain well, place potato cubes in a food mill, and grind to remove skins.
  • Alternatively, smash the potatoes with a large fork or potato masher.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until the butter stops foaming and turns a light brown.
  • Add the garlic paste and cook quickly.
  • Add the cream, season, to taste, with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to low and fold in potatoes with a wooded spoon or large whisk.
  • Add the remaining butter by tablespoons, until taste suits you, stirring after each addition.
  • Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.