Third Degree Potatoes

Believe me, I hate Rachel Ray as much as anyone, but I have to admit that I occasionally do take her tips and recipes to heart. This recipe is one that she adapted from Jacques Pepin (who is near and dear to my heart), and I have further adapted it, hence "three degrees." These potatoes are flavorful and buttery, and would be lovely alongside almost any meal.

3 lbs small Yukon Gold potatoes
3 C chicken broth (you could also use vegetable broth)
3 Tbs butter
Small bunch of fresh thyme
6 cloves garlic
Salt and pepper

Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the bottom of a heavy bottomed pot or skillet. Add the chicken broth and butter, along with several whole sprigs of thyme and the whole garlic cloves (you can leave them unpeeled). Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on medium-high heat until the potatoes are just tender.

Remove the lid and with the back of a spoon, or the bottom of a glass, press down on the tops of the potatoes just to crack them open (don't smash them too hard!). Continue to cook until all the liquid has evaporated, and then brown the potatoes on both sides. Garnish with a little thyme and sea salt and serve.