Bay-Studded Potatoes with Rosemary and Olive Oil

• 8 large new potatoes
• 16 bay leaves
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6. With a small knife, cut each potato across its width in slices about 1cm (½ in) thick, stopping 1 cm (½ in) before the bottom so the slices are still joined at the base. Season with salt and pepper and insert a few bay leaves in the cuts in e