Tray-baked potatoes

Method

• step 1

  Liberally butter the oven tray. Slice the potatoes using the fine blade of a food processor or a sharp knife, separating slices that have stuck together.

• step 2

  Pour the boiling water into a large pan and whisk in the bouillon powder. Tip in the potatoes, cover, bring to the boil and cook for 2 minutes.

• step 3

  Using a fish slice, transfer the potatoes to the oven tray, letting a little of the stock come along with each batch. Spread the potatoes out evenly in the oven tray. Don’t attempt to overlap layers in a neat fashion, as you would for a gratin – this is a casual, baker’s-style dish. Discard the remaining stock, or use it as a soup base.

• step 4

  Season the potatoes, then slide the tray into the oven for the last 30 minutes of the pork cooking time (or cook separately for 30 minutes in a preheated 170C/Gas 4/fan oven). After 30 minutes, increase the heat to 220C/Gas 7/ fan oven 200C, and cook for 25-35 minutes longer.

• step 5

  Score the potatoes into 8 portions and serve straight from the tray, lifting them out with a fish slice. They won’t look neat but will taste divine.