Peel as many potatoes as you think you'll need to fill up whatever size pan you're using and the people you'll be feeding. i've done this with as few as 2 potatoes (small saute pan - 6") and as many as 10 in a larger, deeper saute pan (12"). use a pan with an oven-proof handle.

Slice the potatoes thinly (about 1/8" thick). i use a mandoline or my food processor. you can use your knife if you want -- doesn't bother me if it doesn't bother you.

Slather a nice thick layer of room temperature butter all around the inside and bottom of your pan. don't be stingy. place a slice of potato in the very center of the pan and then spiral the slices all the way to the edge of the pan.

Salt and pepper this layer. drizzle a very small amount of the melted butter on top of this layer.

Add another layer of potato slices. you won't have to be so careful with the design on any more layers -- it won't show. just make sure the layer is as even as possible.

Salt, pepper, drizzle melted butter. continue layering, seasoning and drizzling each layer as you go, until pan is filled, ending with, of course, salt, pepper, and butter.

Cover pan tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or a double layer of regular foil. place a heavy oven-proof plate on top of the foil over the potatoes. make sure the plate fits inside the lip of the pan so that it can push the potatoes down.

Place your pan on the stove burner. turn burner onto medium high. when you start to hear the sizzle, turn on timer for 5 minutes. preheat oven to 400.place pan (plate and all) into oven. bake 50 minutes.

Remove aluminum foil. invert the potatoes onto a plate or platter or cake stand. you'll want to use something with a lip, though, because butter will be oozing.cut into wedges to serve.

Leftovers (if you are lucky enough to have any) can be broken up in a saute pan and crisped up to make quick home fries.