Classic Potato Gratin

I like to call this decadent dish "Yummy Potatoes of Death" because it is TO DIE FOR and it is also chock full of fat and calories. Note: You can sub half-and-half for all or part of the cream, or use half broth and half cream for a lighter dish. But it's worth the splurge once a year or on a special occasion! You can use half sweet potatoes and half regular potatoes for a great Thanksgiving side dish, just layer the potatoes in the baking dish (alternating regular and sweet) and pour the hot cream mixture over the top. Source: Fine Cooking

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 2  lbs yukon gold potatoes or 2  lbs russet potatoes, peeled
• 3  cups  whipping cream or 3  cups heavy cream
• 1  teaspoon coarse salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1  pinch  of freshly grated nutmeg
• 2  cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• 3⁄4 cup  finely shredded gruyere cheese or 3⁄4 cup  emmenthaler cheese or 3⁄4 cup comte cheese

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 400°F.
2. Using a very sharp knife, a mandoline, or th slicing blade on a food processor, cut the potatoes into uniform 1/8-inch slices (no thicker).
3. Put the potatoes in a large heavy-based saucepan and add the cream, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and garlic.
4. Cook the mixture over medium-high heat until the cream boils, stirring occasionally (very gently with a rubber spatula so you don't break up the slices).
5. When the cream boils, pour the mixture into a 2 1/2- or 3-qt.
6. baking dish.
7. If you don't want a tender but garlicky surprise mouthful, remove and discard the garlic cloves (I leave them in, they're delicious!).
8. Shake the dish to let the slices settle and then sprinkle the cheese on top.
9. Bake until the top is deep golden brown, the cream has thickened and bubbled, and the potatoes are extremely tender when pierced with a knife, about 40 min.
10. Don't worry if the dish looks too liquidy at this point; it will set up as it cools a bit.
11. Before serving, let the potatoes cool until they're very warm but not hot (at least 15 min.) or serve them at room temperature.
12. Note: This is also great for breakfast, barely re-warmed in the microwave.