Steps
1. Peel and chop the potatoes into even pieces.
2. Boil the potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.
3. In the last 5 minutes of boiling, add the whole garlic clove to the pot.
4. Drain the potatoes and garlic, then return them to the pot.
5. Add butter and milk to the potatoes, and mash until smooth and creamy.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve warm, garnished with chopped chives if desired.