2 Cox's apples, quartered and cored
1kg/2lb 4oz floury potatoes
6 garlic cloves, skin on
4 sage leaves, roughly chopped
6 round large shallots or small onions, peeled and slit ¾ of the way through
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp olive oil
white pepper, to taste
150²µ/5½´Ç³ú butter
500g/1lb 2oz Cantal cheese, grated
100ml/3½fl oz double cream
250ml/9fl oz full-fat milk