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1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
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2
In a large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter. Turn temperature to medium high and add the onions, saute until golden, about 8 minutes.
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3
Add the garlic, bay leaves, nutmeg, 1 tablespoon salt, and 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, stir well and cook for 1 minute, then add the cream and milk and bring to a boil. Remove saucepan from the heat, cover, and set stand for 5 minutes.
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4
In a medium-sized bowl, toss the Parmesan together with the dry bread crumbs, olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper.
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5
Locate the bay leaves in the onion mixture and remove them.
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6
In a large bowl, gently toss together the sliced potatoes and onion mixture.
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7
Spread half of the potato mixture in the bottom of a pan-sprayed (I use an olive oil mister) 2-quart baking dish, then sprinkle 2/3 cup of the bread crumb mixture over the top. Spread the remaining potato mixture over, pressing down firmly to pack them down, then cover with remaining bread crumbs.
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8
Bake at 400 degrees F for about 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is a nice, golden brown (if the potatoes brown too quickly, loosely cover the baking dish with foil).
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9
Note: These can be baked up to 5 hours ahead of serving time then reheated in the oven (preferably, although doing it in the microwave would work in a pinch but the topping won't be crisp if you do so).
