Description
Creamy garlic mashed potatoes blend comforting textures with rich, roasted flavor. Buttery potatoes provide a luxurious side dish perfect for gatherings where you crave homestyle comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) red potatoes, washed and cut into quarters
- 1 head garlic
- 6 tbsps (85 g) butter
- ¾ cup (177 ml) half and half
- 1 tsp (5 ml) olive oil
- kosher salt
- fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Garlic Preparation: Slice off the top of a whole garlic head, exposing cloves, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Wrap entirely in aluminum foil, creating a sealed packet that will protect and steam the garlic during roasting.
- Roasting Process: Place the foil-wrapped garlic in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) for 55-65 minutes until cloves transform into a golden, soft, and caramelized state.
- Potato Cooking: Cleanse potatoes under cool water, then transfer to a large Dutch oven. Submerge completely in cold water, add kosher salt, and bring to a vigorous boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 14-16 minutes until potatoes yield effortlessly to a fork’s gentle pressure.
- Mashing Technique: Drain potatoes in a colander and return to the warm pot. Squeeze roasted garlic cloves directly into the potatoes. Simultaneously warm half-and-half cream and unsalted butter in a separate saucepan until butter melts completely.
- Flavor Infusion: Pour the warm cream and butter mixture over potatoes and roasted garlic. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mash using a potato masher, maintaining a rustic texture with occasional potato chunks for visual and textural interest.
- Presentation: Transfer the creamy mixture to a serving dish. Garnish with finely chopped fresh chives or parsley and crown with an additional pat of butter for a luxurious finish.
Notes
- Roast Garlic Perfectly: Choose fresh, firm garlic heads with tight, unblemished cloves to ensure maximum flavor and smooth roasting.
- Select Potatoes Wisely: Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest, fluffiest mashed potato texture.
- Control Moisture Carefully: Drain potatoes thoroughly and return to warm pot to prevent watery mashed potatoes and maintain optimal consistency.
- Temperature Matters: Warm cream and butter before adding to potatoes to create smoother, more evenly blended mashed potatoes without cooling down the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg