Mashed Potatoes and Homemade Gravy

When it comes to comfort food, nothing quite matches the creamy delight of mashed potatoes. But why settle for ordinary when you can elevate them to extraordinary? By boiling your potatoes in chicken broth and infusing them with garlic, you create a depth of flavor that's simply irresistible. Accompanied by a rich homemade gravy, this dish promises to be a hit at any gathering. Your guests will undoubtedly ask for seconds!

Ingredients

🫑 5 pounds russet or Yukon gold potatoes
🧄 1 whole head of garlic, peeled
🧂 1/2 tablespoon salt for boiling potatoes
🥣 6-8 cups chicken broth or stock (enough to cover the potatoes)
🧈 1 stick unsalted butter
🥛 1 cup heavy cream
🥄 1/2 cup sour cream
🌶️ 1/2 teaspoon white or black pepper
🧂 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

🧈 4 tablespoons butter
🧅 1 shallot, finely diced
🧄 2 cloves garlic, minced
🌾 1/4 cup flour
🥣 3.5 cups chicken broth or stock (reserved from boiling the potatoes)
🥄 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
🌶️ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
🧂 A sprinkle of salt

Instructions

1- Prepare the Potatoes:

Peel, rinse, and chop the potatoes into large chunks. Peel the whole head of garlic.
Place the potatoes and garlic into a large pot. Add 1/2 tablespoon of salt and enough chicken stock or broth to cover the potatoes.
Boil the potatoes until fork-tender, about 20-25 minutes.

2- Prepare the Cream Mixture:

While the potatoes are boiling, in a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with the heavy cream until warm. Keep the heat low to prevent boiling.

3- Mash the Potatoes:

Strain the cooked potatoes, reserving the liquid for the gravy.
Return the potatoes to the pot, add the sour cream, the butter and cream mixture, and season with white or black pepper and salt to taste.
Mash the potatoes using a potato masher until they are light and fluffy.

4- Prepare the Gravy:

In a pan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add the diced shallot and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Sprinkle in the flour, stirring until well-blended.
Gradually add the reserved chicken broth, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
Add Dijon mustard, black pepper, and salt to taste. Whisk until smooth and let simmer until thickened.

5- Serve:

Serve the mashed potatoes with the homemade gravy. For an added touch, garnish with chopped chives or parsley.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories per Serving: Approximately 380 kcal
Proteins, Fats, and Carbohydrates per Serving: 7g protein, 26g fat, 36g carbohydrates
Equipment: Large pot, saucepan, potato masher, whisk, and strainer.