Instructions:
- Cut the potatoes.
- Feel free to peel your potatoes or leave the skins on.
- Then cut them into evenly-sized chunks, about an inch or so thick, and transfer them to a large stockpot full of cold water.
- Boil the potatoes.
- Once all of your potatoes are cut, be sure that there is enough cold water in the pan so that the water line sits about 1 inch above the potatoes.
- Stir the garlic and 1 tablespoon sea salt into the water.
- Then turn the heat to high and cook until the water comes to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-high (or whatever temperature is needed to maintain the boil) and continue cooking for about 10-12 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the middle of a potato goes in easily with almost no resistance.
- Carefully drain out all of the water.
- Prepare your melted butter mixture.
- Meanwhile, as the potatoes are boiling, heat the butter, milk and an additional 2 teaspoons of sea salt together either in a small saucepan or in the microwave until the butter is just melted. (You want to avoid boiling the milk.)
- Set aside until ready to use.
- Pan-dry the potatoes.
- After draining the water, immediately return the potatoes to the hot stockpot, place it back on the hot burner, and turn the heat down to low.
- Using two oven mitts, carefully hold the handles on the stockpot and shake it gently on the burner for about 1 minute to help cook off some of the remaining steam within the potatoes.
- Remove the stockpot entirely from the heat and set it on a flat, heatproof surface.
- Mash the potatoes. Using your preferred kind of potato masher, mash the potatoes to your desired consistency.
- Stir everything together.
- Then pour half of the melted butter mixture over the potatoes, and fold it in with a wooden spoon or spatula until potatoes have soaked up the liquid.
- Repeat with the remaining butter, and then again with the cream cheese, folding in each addition in until just combined to avoid over-mixing. (Feel free to add in more warm milk to reach your desired consistency, if needed.)
- Taste and season. One final time, taste the potatoes and season with extra salt if needed.
- Serve warm. Then serve warm, garnished with any extra toppings that you might like, and enjoy!