Achieved last night: pommes more-or-less Anna (cf MFK). I am gettin closer and closer. The potatoes became one Unit, didn't devolve into chaotic fried potatoes. I've yet to create a really beautiful, evenly-browned, layered cake, but at least this tasted good (window of taste created by Sudafed).

Query: Is it possible to create this dish not only just when you have the time to do it, but really only when you're on vacation or short-term-disability leave? It just needs so much Time. Huge amounts of mental space, more than the usual potato patience. I think I cooked mine for 1-1/2 hrs! Basically I hate underdone potatoes as much as I hate even slightly more than al dente pasta these days, so I thought it was good. They were incredibly tender/crisp.