Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

From: Every Day with Rachael Ray November 2006

2 C milk
3 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
3 pound baking potatoes, peeled and sliced ¼” thick
3 ounces Gruyere cheese, coarsely grated
pinch cayenne pepper
black pepper
1 C heavy cream

Place a rack in the top half of the oven and preheat to 375. In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups water with the milk, garlic and ½ teaspoon salt. Add the potatoes and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the potatoes from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are tender but still slightly firm, about 8 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and, using a slotted spoon, transfer half the potatoes to a buttered 9x13” baking dish; arrange the potatoes in an even layer. Sprinkle with half the cheese and the cayenne; season with salt and pepper to taste. Repeat with the remaining potatoes and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Pour the heavy cream evenly over the top. Bake the scalloped potatoes until golden and crisp on top, 40-45 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.