I didn't have heavy cream so I just used sour cream, and I used about a tablespoon of pre-minced garlic and it was just fine. It turned out wonderfully and I look forward to making it again! I also did not find the cayenne in my spices and just left it at salt and pepper, which did leave it slightly lacking but I still thought it was good. It was somewhat fast paced cooking once you start, but it wasn't too difficult to manage.