Mashed Potatoes With Crispety Cruncheties

Ingredients

• 4 lb. German Butterball or Yukon Gold potatoes
• scrubbed
• 1 head of garlic
• divided
• 5 sprigs thyme
• 2 tsp. black peppercorns
• lightly crushed
• 1¼ cups (2½ sticks) unsalted butter
• 4 cups (or more) whole milk
• 1 Tbsp. (or more) kosher salt
• 1 lemon
• 2 ½"-thick slices country-style bread
• torn into 1" pieces
• 2 cups kettle-style potato chips (such as Cape Cod)
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
• Kosher salt
• freshly ground pepper
• 3 sprigs thyme
• leaves picked
• 1 tsp. hot smoked Spanish paprika

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. 2

   If using German Butterballs, place potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet or in a cast-iron skillet and roast, turning halfway through, until very tender (a paring knife inserted into the center should meet with no resistance), 45–50 minutes.

3. 3

   If using Yukon Golds, place on a rimmed baking sheet or in a large baking dish and cover tightly with foil.

4. 4

   Roast until very tender, 80–95 minutes.

5. 5

   Meanwhile, remove 4 garlic cloves from garlic head and set aside for the topping.

6. 6

   Cut remaining head of garlicin half crosswise and place in a medium saucepan with thyme, peppercorns, butter, 4 cups milk, and 1 Tbsp. salt.

7. 7

   Using a vegetable peeler, remove wide strips of zest from half of lemon and add to pot; set lemon aside for the topping.

8. 8

   Bring mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.

9. 9

   Immediately remove from heat, cover, and let sit at least 30 minutes.

10. 10

    When potatoes are done, use a paring knife to remove skins (it’s important to do this while they are very hot; hold them in a kitchen towel to protect your hands), then pass them through a ricer or food mill fitted with the fine disk into a large pot (or simply mash them in the pot with a potato masher).

11. 11

    Return garlic mixture to a simmer, then pour through a fine-mesh sieve into pot with potatoes; discard solids.

12. 12

    Set potato mixture over medium heat and whisk until liquid is incorporated and potatoes are very smooth and bubbling.

13. 13

    Taste and season with more salt if needed.

14. 14

    Cover and keep warm until ready to serve.

15. 15

    Do Ahead: Potatoes can be made 2 days ahead.