Hasselback Potatoes Braised with Bay Leaves

Preheat the oven to 200°C.

Cut a small slice from the base of each potato so it will sit flat. Place a wooden spoon either side of the potato and use a sharp knife to cut slits ½ cm apart. The wooden spoon stops you cutting all the way through the potatoes. Slide two pieces of bay leaf between the cuts in each potato. Heat the olive oil in an ovenproof dish and add the butter and the potatoes, cut side up. Pour over the stock and season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

Braise in the oven, basting the potatoes occasionally, until tender and the stock is reduced. 

* If floury potatoes are used they will collapse and disintegrate during cooking.