Mashed Potatoes with Butternut Squash - Serving Dumplings

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds starchy potatoes (peeled and quartered)
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (at room temperature, divided)
• 1 yellow onion (diced)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• 1 ½ pounds butternut squash (peeled and cubed)
• salt (to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ¼ tsp grated nutmeg
• 1 bay leaf
• ¾ cup water
• ½ cup half-and-half (at room temperature)