- 2 pounds baking potatoes (about 4), peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, light cream, or milk
- 4 (8 ounce) fillets cod
- 2 teaspoons cooking oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Heat the oven to 450 degrees F. Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan of salted water. Bring to a boil and continue boiling until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and put them back into the saucepan along with 3/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Mash the potatoes over very low heat, gradually incorporating the butter and cream.
- Rub the cod with the oil and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Put the cod in a large roasting pan, sprinkle the fillets with the garlic, and then spread with the mashed potatoes. Roast until the fish is nearly done, 8 to 10 minutes for 3/4-inch-thick fillets.
- Heat the broiler. Broil the fish until the mashed potatoes have a golden brown crust, about 2 minutes.