Southern Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients
3 1/2 pounds russet potatoes
2 tablespoons kosher salt
16 fluid ounces (2 cups) half-and-half
6 cloves garlic, crushed
6 ounces grated Parmesan


Directions

• Boil potatoes with skins on until they fall apart when poked with a fork
• Heat the half-and-half and the garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat until simmering. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Remove the potatoes from the heat and drain off the water. Mash and add the garlic-cream mixture and Parmesan; stir to combine. Let stand for 5 minutes so that mixture thickens and then serve.
• Add bacon, salt, and chives to taste (I used half a package of cooked bacon and 2 chives, finely chopped. I used about 1.5 teaspoons of kosher salt.