Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it's hot and ready for baking.

Prepare the Potatoes: Wash, peel, and slice the potatoes thinly into rounds or semi-circles.

Simmer Milk and Cream: In a saucepan, combine the milk and cream. Peel and crush the garlic cloves and add them to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. This infuses the cream and milk with the rich flavor of garlic.

Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish with butter to prevent sticking and to add flavor.

Layer the Potatoes: Arrange a layer of potato slices at the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and black pepper.

Add Cream Mixture: Pour some of the simmering milk and cream mixture over the potatoes, just enough to slightly cover them.

Repeat Layering: Continue layering potatoes, seasoning them, and adding the milk and cream mixture until all potatoes are used. Ensure the top layer is moistened with the cream mixture.

Add Cheese and Butter: Grate the cheese and sprinkle it generously over the top layer of potatoes. Dot the surface with small pieces of butter to enrich the flavor.

Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes.

Bake Uncovered: After 45 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. This allows the layers to set slightly and makes serving easier.