Favorite easy side: Garlic & herb mashed potatoes

My garlic mashed potatoes have always been a hit... And I love it because they are so easy to make! I recently whipped them up after we had gotten home from a long day out and about, when I had little energy to dedicate to the kitchen, but still wanted to make something special.
I won't go too in depth into how to make the rest of the meal, but you can see I served the potatoes on the side of some pan-cooked chicken with gravy and garlicky green beans.

Ingredients (serves 2):
-1 large potato (I used a red potato)
-2 garlic cloves
-1/2 cup half & half
-2 tbs. butter
-Salt & pepper
-Parsley & scallions, chopped

1. Peel and cut the potato into quarters. Place in a pot and cover with cold water. Heat on stovetop on high. Boil potato until fork tender, about 15 minutes, and drain the water.
2. Add half & half, butter, and seasonings, then mash with a potato masher. I like to keep a few lumps, but you can make yours smoother, if you like.
3. I cook the potatoes a couple minutes longer on medium heat, stirring frequently, until they're the consistency I like.
4. Before serving, toss in a handful of chopped scallions and parsley, or herb of your choice!

As for the chicken, I just seasoned both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. I cooked it in a pan with a little olive oil, a few minutes on each side, until all the pink was gone.

To make the gravy, I removed the chicken from the pan and added a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of flour. That's cooked for a minute or two, until the mixture is golden brown. Then, I added about a cup of chicken broth and some salt. I whisked and continue to cook until the gravy was thick.

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